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Posted 12/06/2023 6:49 pm
We didn't know the origins of these oddities back in 2020, so I suspect there's still no readily available information about them.
My guess: since both these examples (and the third one linked in the older thread) were found in the Netherlands, that they would have been made locally there in the Netherlands. As for the reason for their manufacture, I would guess that they are made for "costume jewellery" - cheap, non-precious-metal jewellery worn as fashion accessories.
As for why the copy is so "bad", in terms of deviation from the official Swiss 5 rappen coin, my guess would be a desire of the manufacturer to ensure they were not accused of counterfeiting, while still "looking like a coin". I do not know if counterfeiting foreign coins is illegal in the Netherlands.
Please note my repeated use of the word "guess" - I have no certain knowledge, only reasonable deduction.
My guess: since both these examples (and the third one linked in the older thread) were found in the Netherlands, that they would have been made locally there in the Netherlands. As for the reason for their manufacture, I would guess that they are made for "costume jewellery" - cheap, non-precious-metal jewellery worn as fashion accessories.
As for why the copy is so "bad", in terms of deviation from the official Swiss 5 rappen coin, my guess would be a desire of the manufacturer to ensure they were not accused of counterfeiting, while still "looking like a coin". I do not know if counterfeiting foreign coins is illegal in the Netherlands.
Please note my repeated use of the word "guess" - I have no certain knowledge, only reasonable deduction.
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
