Coin Community Family of Web Sites Join Thousands of Coin, Bullion, & Money Collectors
Royal Canadian Mint products, Canadian, Polish, American, and world coins and banknotes. Specializing in Modern Numismatics 300,000 items to help build your collection! Shop for APMEX Bullion on eBay!Join Thousands of Coin, Bullion, & Money Collectors Coin, Banknote and Medal Collectors's Online Mall Vancouvers #1 Coin and Paper Money Dealer








Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?


This page may contain links that result in small commissions to keep this free site up and running.

Welcome Guest! Registering and/or logging in will remove the anchor (bottom) ads. It's Free!

A French Incendiary Coin

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.
Author Previous TopicReplies: 8 / Views: 2,418Next Topic  
Pillar of the Community

United States
541 Posts
 Posted 06/24/2016  10:16 am Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add retiredkper to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers


The silver coin on the left is a genuine French five francs coin dated 1869 which was issued by the ill-fated Napoleon III who bit off more than he could chew when he declared war on Prussia in 1870 and lost his crown in defeat. On the right is a bronze copy of that five franc type dated 1870 with a B mint mark. 1870 was the last year for the type, none of which were ever minted with the B mint mark. On the top of the bronze copy is a sturdy loop for wear as a fob. When the loop is pulled to the right the center pulls out to reveal a lighter with flint and wick which is why I call this an incendiary coin. Similar versions exist as pocket knives with two pull out blades. While this coin lighter looks old it is marked Japan on the edge and as such may have been made 1921-1941 and again from 1952 to present.

A-French-Incendiary-Coin

A-French-Incendiary-Coin

A-French-Incendiary-Coin

A-French-Incendiary-Coin
Pillar of the Community
Tunnioc's Avatar
United States
3173 Posts
 Posted 06/24/2016  12:18 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Tunnioc to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Very cool! Looks like it was never used.
Pillar of the Community
United States
541 Posts
 Posted 06/24/2016  1:29 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add retiredkper to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Yes, I think you are correct. The wick is not burned and there is no smell of lighter fluid but it does throw a nice spark.
Pillar of the Community
Dustin6's Avatar
United States
3516 Posts
 Posted 06/24/2016  3:40 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Dustin6 to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Nice piece, it looks awesome.
Pillar of the Community
United States
541 Posts
 Posted 06/24/2016  4:31 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add retiredkper to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Thanks Dustin. Yes it does look awesome but it also has "JAPAN" on the edge so if you find one in an antique mall like I did this one do not pay an awesome price for it.
Moderator
Learn More...
Spence's Avatar
United States
34397 Posts
 Posted 06/24/2016  5:13 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Spence to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
@retiredkpr, very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb

"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
Valued Member
Redbarchettayyz's Avatar
Canada
71 Posts
 Posted 06/24/2016  5:14 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Redbarchettayyz to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Pretty cool, something to fill up and pull out and light if someone ever accuses you of "burning money".
Pillar of the Community
MontCollector's Avatar
United States
2403 Posts
 Posted 07/06/2016  12:43 am  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add MontCollector to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Very cool lighter!! even though it isn't a Zippo, it would still fit right in with my collection.
Bedrock of the Community
NumisRob's Avatar
United Kingdom
17911 Posts
 Posted 07/06/2016  02:28 am  Show Profile   Check NumisRob's eBay Listings Bookmark this reply Add NumisRob to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Great item!
  Previous TopicReplies: 8 / Views: 2,418Next Topic  

To participate in the forum you must log in or register.



    




Disclaimer: While a tremendous amount of effort goes into ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in this site, Coin Community assumes no liability for errors. Copyright 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Family- all rights reserved worldwide. Use of any images or content on this website without prior written permission of Coin Community or the original lender is strictly prohibited.
Contact Us  |  Advertise Here  |  Privacy Policy / Terms of Use

Coin Community Forum © 2005 - 2026 Coin Community Forums
It took 0.4 seconds to rattle this change. Forums