Coin Show Report (sort of)

newsman

I was in Paris last weekend and stumbled on a weekly coin and stamp bourse held every Saturday in a park along the Champs-Elysee. Most of the dealers were selling stamps (and used phone cards, which are popular collectibles in France), but there were several with nice coins, mostly French, and former French colonies, with lots of countries and types you don't find here very often. Interestingly, a lot of the dealers were immigrants from Arab countries.

If you're ever looking for nice uncirculated older French coins, this is the place. I asked one of the dealers if he had any Semeuse francs, and he pulled out a cloth bag with about two dozen that looked fresh from the mint. I was able to cherrypick a nice date run of WWI dates. Another had a selection of AU and uncirculated 5 franc coins dating as far back as Charles X. I also saw dozens of nice medals, including some Napoleonic ones. Prices seemed pretty reasonable as well.

AuldFartte

Neat information ... sounds like you had a great day !!!

*sigh* ... now if I can just get to Paris someday

newsman

<< <i>Neat information ... sounds like you had a great day !!!

*sigh* ... now if I can just get to Paris someday >>



I hope you get there before those dealers discover eBay. The established dealers with storefronts already know how much their stuff is worth and price it accordingly.

Darkhorse

Used phone cards are also popular in Germany as well.

coinkat

wow... Charles X and it was nice? What about Louis XVIII?

Bailathacl

Coin shopping in a park along the Champs-Elysee? Wow, throw in a couple of supermodels and some exotic beer and you've nailed my fantasy weekend.....

newsman

<< <i>wow... Charles X and it was nice? What about Louis XVIII? >>



One dealer had a Charles X 5 francs that looked AU w/o hairlines. There also was a lot of higher-grade circulated Louis XVIII stuff. Lots of collectors wandering around as well, looking and talking.