These are cool. Paris Mint die trials from 1700's/1800's.

JadeRareCoin

Have you seen this type of item before? Really neat. I am guessing that they poured white metal into one half of each die to check the design in postive (die is negative). I have not reasearched the medals yet, but I am sure that will be quite a challenge.

elverno

How thick are they? I know the Paris mint at least would pour a thin layer of tin on a flat surface and then test a die in progress.

Here's an example from 1806:


You can see where the tin was roughly trimmed.
Then, later in the process I know they used white metal blanks like this:


I've never seen any as old as some of the ones that appear in your pic...

JadeRareCoin

Vern, these are very thin and probably tin. I am just guessing on the date, as I am relatively new to the field of medals. I am going to research the medals and I will post what I find. Thanks for the info.

Askari

You will also find they poured lead as well as tin/white metal for trials.

JadeRareCoin

Is their a reference that deals with die trials from the Paris Mint (or other mints)?