France 5 Francs 1837 W Bronze - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,163
Jay1234 Valued Member United States 379 Posts	Posted 11/05/2022 4:10 pm I'm not sure what to make of this coin. The listing in the standard catalog only shows this type of 5 Francs as silver. This one is clearly bronze. It also comes in at 21.83g instead of 25. I'm guessing it's counterfeit. Any thoughts? Report this Post to the Staff

sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 11/05/2022 4:45 pm My very first inclination is that is obviously intended to be a counterfeit, before silvering was to be applied. The portrait is of poor quality, as is the leaf detail on the reverse. General design is similar to KM# 744 Nevertheless, one thing that must not be dismissed is the small possibility? that could be an experimental off metal trial strike. Sharpness of the lettering detail, despite obvious doubling, suggests this, and should be investigated. Don't throw it out to trash just yet. Report this Post to the Staff
NumisRob Bedrock of the Community United Kingdom 17967 Posts	Posted 11/05/2022 5:37 pm I would say definitely a comtemporary forgery, intended to be coated with silver. The lettering is sharp, but uneven in quality and differs considerably from a genuine specimen - note also the figure 7 in the date: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225029929917 My Trade List: https://goccf.com/t/194596 My Wants List: https://goccf.com/t/191710 Report this Post to the Staff
ijn1944 Bedrock of the Community United States 19194 Posts	Posted 11/05/2022 5:41 pm Interesting detective work. Report this Post to the Staff
erafjel Pillar of the Community Sweden 2124 Posts	Posted 11/06/2022 04:43 am Quote: definitely a comtemporary forgery ... The lettering is sharp, but uneven in quality and differs considerably from a genuine specimen There were trial strikes in copper (and other metals), but those were of as good quality as the later circulation strikes. They would not have uneven letters and lack of detail like this one. That said, it could still have some value. There are collectors of contemporary forgeries (although I don't know what this coin might be worth). Report this Post to the Staff
realeswatcher Pillar of the Community United States 1962 Posts	Posted 11/06/2022 07:25 am Yes, contemporary counterfeit. Curiously devoid of silvering for a high grade piece - this one looks to have never have received it. The engraving IS sharp and the bust itself is rather accurate, but the reverse is ALL wrong as NumisRob and erafjel noted. Nice example. Report this Post to the Staff
thq Pillar of the Community United States 3343 Posts	Posted 11/06/2022 08:23 am I have an 1845 2 Franc made of similar metal, also unsilvered. Your example is much sharper. "Two minutes ago I would have sold my chances for a tired dime." Fred Astaire Report this Post to the Staff
Jay1234 Valued Member United States 379 Posts	Posted 11/06/2022 12:24 pm Thanks to you all for the input! Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 7 / Views: 1,163

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