Question About The Popularity If French Coins

I live in French-speaking Europe. I am shocked by the thread above! La numismatique is alive and well and VERY active in France and the francophone world. Par contre, the French are not very interested in American, British or Germanophone coins (I am however...).

To appreciate French coins, one does need to understand a bit of French history which is not as straightforward as the British or American as some have noticed-- but easier to follow than that of dozens of German states pre-Bismarck. There are some fabulous portraits on French coins and beautiful designs (some by Duvivier and other master sculptors no less accomplished than Houdin's Washington) such as the Genius inscribing on French gold pieces in the 1870s (taken from Napoleonic silver). The rather dull coq d'or not withstanding, I would encourage people to collect French coins (look at medieval gold and as mentioned the ecus of the Louis and the testons of the renaissance, and the essais of the many pretenders). But, if you are interested in investing, you will do better to approach the French market in French and not on American ebay. They do not like slabs and they want you to know your stuff just like everywhere else...

Most of the coins I have bought lately have been French. In part it's because they're more affordable than US coins I like. My interest is pretty narrow though - late Royal through pre Napoleanic, with a slight interest in the Republique 5 francs issues from the 19th century.

I'd suggest going over to https://www. cgb.fr and having a look at their enormous collection of photos. For starters, look at anything designed by Dupre....

-5F Union et Force
-The "genie" silver coins - 15 sols up to ecus.
-The decimes and all their restruck variants.
-The sol aux balances - some of the scariest coins I know of - from the period of the terror.

Compared to 1793-96 US copper and silver these coins are every bit as attractive, and probably just as rare. How many 2 sols aux balances were ever made at Montpellier mint - and how often does one ever reach the market... The number of mints and overstrikes involved makes scarcity the rule rather than the exception. Grading is a little dicey, because there's very little slabbing, and corrosion doesn't seem to count against grade.

Alas, I've lost access to being able to make good quality photos. I'll put up some scans in a couple days. Sometimes they come out OK.....

But do go over to https://www.cgb.fr and look around. Their photos put my best ones to shame.