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 Replies: 5 / Views: 1,177 |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
I am new to this so please forgive my ignorance. My mom gave me a bunch of coins tonight from my Great- Great Grandmother who came from the Swiss/ French Border in the early 1900s. I mention this because I thought it might be helpful. I have been searching for hours trying to identify this coin and cannot. It is from 1853 It is gold, it has Napoleon III at the top, the bust is facing to the left. On the back it appears that there is an eagle. (I really want to know if you all think this is worth anything- she gave them to me to see if they would help with a downpayment for a house). Thanks so much for any help. Edited by Sap
01/24/2009 08:49 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3098 Posts |
It would really help if you posted a pic for the grade, but hearing this, it's probably a 20Fr...
It's worth about 150 in bullion alone, but depending on the grade, could be worth 500-1000...
Edited by wd1040
01/07/2009 11:52 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
 to our forums and hope you get your questions answered  If you can post some photos, that will help others respond. |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
to the forum. Are you sure that the coin is gold? From what you describe with the bust facing left and and eagle on the reverse the coin doesn't fit the gold issues of Napoleon III. All his gold coins had the bust facing right and a small eagle within a sheild. The earlier gold 5, 10, & 20 Francs had the value within a wreath. A picture would be very helpful. What I think you might have is one of the Bronze Centimes coins. They had the bust facing left with the date under the bust and the reverse is a large eagle with EMPIRE FRANCAIS and on the bottom the value. UN for 1, DEUX-2, CINQ-5, and DIX-10. |
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Moderator
 United States
6563 Posts |
 For the most part I can't find a single left facing gold coin from 1853. It could be a toned silver coin possibly. Does the eagle fill the whole reverse or is it small within a shield? |
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Moderator
Australia
16816 Posts |
Without a pic of your actual coin, it's hard to say what you've got, but whatever it is, from your description it can't be a French gold coin:
- The Emperor always faces right on right on gold coins, but left on silver and copper coins.
- The only gold coin issued in 1853 is the 20 francs mentioned by wd1040, and it doesn't have an eagle on the back.
Here are some suggestions as to what you might have:
- A piece of play money. German-made imitation coins from numerous countries are often found; they have similar designs to "real coins" though the designs are often cruder.
- A bronze 1, 2 or 5 centime coin that's been either polished so much it looks golden, or has actually been gilt or gold-plated.
- Some kind of medal. In which case, it might actually be made of gold, but it could also be simply gold-plated.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Replies: 5 / Views: 1,177 |
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Posted 01/08/2009 12:54 am
