Anyone know what this French thing might be?

AuldFartte

I don't think it's a coin. It is most likely brass, and is about 24 mm diameter. I only have a '93 edition of Krause 18th century, and it isn't in there.

The envelope I found it in says "French Reformation Coin" and "France Louis XVI 1788". It is dated on the reverse 1788.

Thanks for the assistance

GDJMSP

It's not a coin that I know of - most likely a jeton.

Askari

Looks more like a medal or perhaps jeton.

coachleonard

Definitely a brass jeton-- and that horseman on pedestal reverse was also a design device on Louis 15 brass jetons as well (if I remember a piece i used to own correctly)

elverno

It's a jeton produced by the Reich family of Furth, probably engraved by Iohann Christian and/or his son Iohann Matthias. Probably just the father as the son is listed as active only from 1789-1791. Fairly common and are known sometimes as show jetons (as opposed to rechenphennig which were intended for the counting boards).

AuldFartte

Thanks for the information Vern

... and thank you, guys. I appreciate the help from all

Pistareen

<< <i>the Reich family of Furth, probably engraved by Iohann Christian and/or his son Iohann Matthias. Probably just the father as the son is listed as active only from 1789-1791. >>



Pardon this interruption from the other side, but Iohann Matthias Reich disappears from the record ca. 1791 because he was immigrating. He turns up in the late 1790s in Philadelphia as John Reich -- the fellow that completely redesigned US coinage between 1807 and 1816.

For more on Reich, seek out Stewart Witham's biography (tough to find, ask a numismatic bookseller) or read some of my commentary on his relationship with Jefferson and the US Mint in the catalogues of the LaRiviere medal collection by B+M, March and May 2001.

Reich's workshop was busy. A personal favorite is the 1783 medal for the siege of Gibraltar they accomplished.

A French thing is cool enough, but perhaps even a little cooler done by the dad of a US Mint engraver or by the engraver himself as a lad!

goldrush00013

Nice hole placement! I like it!

AuldFartte

<< <i>Pardon this interruption from the other side, but Iohann Matthias Reich disappears from the record ca. 1791 because he was immigrating. He turns up in the late 1790s in Philadelphia as John Reich -- the fellow that completely redesigned US coinage between 1807 and 1816.

A French thing is cool enough, but perhaps even a little cooler done by the dad of a US Mint engraver or by the engraver himself as a lad! >>



You feel free to interrupt with cool information like that anytime you want. Thank you, Pistareen

Askari

Thanks, Pistareen!! I didn't know they were one and the same either.

elverno

Thanks Pistareen! My info on the Reich family is limited to a book on jetons and Forrer of course. I forgot to check out what Iohann Matthias was doing in Forrer... Is there any particular early American stuff that can be directly linked to him (or is it everything?) I'm curious because I've got a couple of pieces that almost certainly are from the 1789-1791 period and I'd like to compare the style.

Everyone's welcome on the darkside!

Pistareen

<< <i>Is there any particular early American stuff that can be directly linked to him (or is it everything?) I'm curious because I've got a couple of pieces that almost certainly are from the 1789-1791 period and I'd like to compare the style. >>



The first work Reich got in the states was on Jefferson's 1801 Inaugural medal, which was also a commemorative of the 25th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Elias Boudinot wrote to Jefferson in 1801 and told him "I received from a German by the name of Reich some specimens of engraving and a wish to be employed. He is just arrived and is in distress ..."

He was so distressed, in fact, that Chief Coiner Henry Voigt (himself a German emigre) purchased the remainder of his bond and let him live with himself and his family. Voigt wrote to Jefferson "There was found a German artist of superior talents equal to do justice to all our ideas -- but it was not enough that this American should be free -- this German artist must also obtain his liberty before anything else could be done."

Soon thereafter, Reich was given other projects, and was probably the principal designer and engraver of the Jefferson Peace medal, though it was credited to Robert Scot. It appears Scot gave the work to Reich on a subcontract basis.

Later, Reich accomplished the small series of medals for Philadelphia merchant Joseph Sansom, including one with Franklin and a beaver (dated 1776), the so-called Washington CCAUS medal, the "1797" Washington Resigned medal, and another with portraits of both Washington and Franklin commemorating the peace of 1783.

Oddly, Reich also did the Betts-610 medal which commemorated the Peace of 1783 in 1783 while still in Germany, then did the Sansom medal around 1805. I believe he is the only guy in the whole Betts book to accomplish medals struck in two different continents.

For the US Mint, Reich designed/engraved the following:

Half cents 1809-36
Cents 1808-14, 1816-1834
Dimes 1809-37
Quarters 1815-28
Half dollars 1807-36
Quarter eagles 1808
Half eagles 1807-29

If they had been striking half dimes, dollars, or eagles, he would have done them too!

lordmarcovan

What goldrush said!

PuddlePirate

Neat History lesson - all from one little Jeton.