SilverTanner

2 hours ago, CollectForFun said:

Interesting coins. I especially like the engraver's signature on the obverse. Btw why Details? Because cleaned?

The coin does look like it has been cleaned at some point but it also has scratches above Napoleon's head which I think would make it 'details'

Answer is that the PCGS coin is AU53 and the NGC coin is AU55, I would probably have given the PCGS coin XF details.

Motto is buy the coin and not the holder and I can't tell the difference between a 69 and a 70, unless it should be 67 and 70

As a long time collector of Napoleonic Coins the 1807A African Head 2 Franc piece is one of the key coins. Below are two examples - one graded by PCGS and one graded by NGC - anyone want to guess the grades??

No 70's to worry about here!

7 minutes ago, Petra said:

The date mark is either 1921 or 1946, however the H M makers mark matches Henry Matthews who’s company was registered between 1894 and 1930. 

Brilliant many thanks!

I hope you all can help - we have been having a clear out and found cigarette case - 1946 Birmingham Sterling silver? H and M?

Thanks

1 hour ago, DuncanWylieWilson said:

Superb observation! Well done and thank you for sharing.

Another worthy note is that due to quality control being shambolic, many of the planchets upon which the coins were struck didn't meet the required specifications as set out by the standards of the Latin Monetary Union (LMU). Consequently, these sub-par planchets were 'adjusted' manually and exhibited what looks like scratches and scrapes on the surface of the coins, most commonly around the edge and across the centre of the shield. People who are unaware of this mistake these as damage sustained from circulation, but they are in fact manual adjustments made to the planchets before the coins were struck such that the resulting coin conformed with the LMU standards.

Nevertheless a very attractive type LMU coin and certainly one with amazing history!

Cheers! ⭐️

Adjustment marks are very common on the Napoleonic Italian coinage, particularly on the gold issues and I have a few although I try and buy examples where this isn't too bad, 'correct' coins often command a hefty premium.

You are correct in this was Napoleon's attempt to standarise the coinage across Europe and it just highlighted the challenges in doing this for mints which were used to striking other denominations. It was about 50 years, from 1865, before the LMU had a more successful attempt, again using the French coinage as a basis. The latest incarnation being the Euro

10 minutes ago, entsor said:

Some rather lovely world gold has been arriving over the past couple of days, thanks to @DuncanWylieWilson

Kingdom of Italy 40 Lire 1812-M
The Shieldback Sovereign 1872
The Chile 10 Pesos 1865
France 40 Francs 1811-A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great coins - the 1812M 40 Lire is the 1812 with the 2nd 1/0 variety. Such overdates are very common on the coinage of Napoleonic Italy - quality control was a shambles, even compared to some of the mints today.

9 minutes ago, Silverman2U said:

… to much. 😂 

I'm now wondering whether I got the single lot I put a pre-bid on!

2 hours ago, Booky586 said:

Lovely condition. Overstruck date?

 

Spot on!👍

Although 1882 is the most common date by far it exists in 2 types of gold - gold and red gold. There is also a rare variety of 1/1 in the date - my coin is the even rarer variety of 1 over an inverted 1🙂

OK, I gave in and bought a LMU coin.

I know I usually buy Napoleonic coins but this appeared and I got it for a good price given the date - one for the pension.☺️

I just have to not buy any more!

A copy of the auction catalogue for the Paramount Collection arrived from Heritage today - now I wish I was a billionaire 😄