One for the coin guys

[NHBandit]

Not a detecting find. Bought for a quarter out of a pile of coins at a French & Indian War reencatment at the Fort at Number 4 in Charlestown NH yesterday. The date is unreadable so I'm hoping someone can give me a country and ballpark age based on the figure of the guy with the goatee. I'm pretty sure it's not Colonel Sanders if that helps... Roughly the size of a US large cent. Hoping I can sell it for enough money to buy a better camera but I doubt it. In any case the trip through the fort was awsome. Cannons firing across the CT river, people in period correct costumes wandering around with muskets, etc. The wife, who is part Mohawk, really enjoyed talking with a couple of the Native American tour guides as well. A fun day. HH

 

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[ivan salis]

yep its a french coin -- napolean the III (third) depending upon size its between 5 ans 20 centimes (cents) miost likely

 

[NHBandit]

Thanks Ivan. That's it exactly. I was just about to edit my post to say it appears to have an eagle on the reverse when I saw your reply. So mid 1800s roughly ? About the same diameter as a US half dollar but half the thickness. Of course it's also worn almost smooth. I guess for a quarter I can't complain.

 

[ivan salis]

1848 to 1870 was nap III reign ---1848 to 1852 as frances first "elected by the people" president --but in 1852 tired of having to deal with "others" --he overthrew his own govt and declared himself --KING --- so he hEld the title of both---- the "first "president and the last king of france."--military losses in 1870 forced him out * -- he was " NAPOLEANS GRANDSON"

 

[NHBandit]

Thanks again. Looking at prices on Ebay I find several selling for next to nothing. Even one in pretty nice condition was around a buck. It amazes me that coins that are 150 or so years old aren't worth more money. Did they just make so many that they are worthless or are there just not many collectors of foreign coins ? If this was a US largie it would be quite a bit more money.

 

[ivan salis]

well i can not explain coin values or lack of value --supply and demand i guess . except for valuible metal coins (which due to the "natural worth" are always collectible)-- various coins "collectibilty" varies widely .

 

[Iron Patch]

Thanks again. Looking at prices on Ebay I find several selling for next to nothing. Even one in pretty nice condition was around a buck. It amazes me that coins that are 150 or so years old aren't worth more money. Did they just make so many that they are worthless or are there just not many collectors of foreign coins ? If this was a US largie it would be quite a bit more money.

Just look at the age of old Roman coins and how little value most are. Yes it all comes down to supply and demand which was influenced by the numbers minted, but more importantly it's about the number that survived, and what collectors, and how many, are fighting over them.

PS... I recall maybe a few better mints for the French Centimes coins when I went down the list a few years ago, but I matched about 20 and had nothing.