1598 Double Tournois... grade? Value?

ajbauman

Hey all...

This coin was in a collection that I recently purchased and since I don't normally collect ancient or world coins... I figured I'd get your opinions. Sorry ahead of time for the crappy pictures...I really need to find way to get more light for pictures!

Please let me know what you think this would grade and it's value.

Obverse:




Reverse:




Thanks!!

coachleonard

Very nice detail on that one. I'd expect to get anywhere from $25 to $45 for it on ebay. Then again, ebay being what it is, it might hammer down for $1.25!

ajbauman

It's interesting that this coin is 410 years old and in great shape (espeically for its age) and it's value is only $30 bucks or so? If this coin was 200 years newer and US, it would be worth a small fortune! Is this just because there isn't as large as a market for these older world coins?

coachleonard

Exactly! This coin could have history behind it that beats out most any 1793 U.S Chain Cent. But despite being 400 years old and in nice condition, a huge segment of the coin market (especially in this country) is going to overlook it because 1. it wasn't struck by the U.S Mint 2. It's a French coin 3. It ain't in the Red book

ajbauman

I think... just to be a little contrarian and stuborn... I'll get it cleaned and slabbed and pass it down to the next generation... maybe some day it will end up in a musuem.

coachleonard

i would caution against cleaning it. You can see pretty much everything you need to see as it is. I only advise cleaning if a coin is so dirty you can't make out crucial things like: date, mintmark, or even what the coin is

1jester

Great coin, excellent condition, rare to see copper that old. Please don't clean it!

And welcome to the Darkside.