That one actually says "Jeton" (well, the Latin equivalent, "IETON") right on it, which is a first for me.
Very interesting little piece. I wonder what the "H" below the bust stands for. If it's a mintmark, as I suspect, I guess that would mean La Rochelle. Then again, I suppose it could also mean something else.
<< <i>I wonder what the "H" below the bust stands for. If it's a mintmark, as I suspect, I guess that would mean La Rochelle. Then again, I suppose it could also mean something else. >>
Good question.... I also suspect it's the mintmark for La Rochelle, but a few of the older jetons use a single letter for the engraver's initial ("F" for Filius as an example).
Thanks for the info. After you guys told me it was jeton I googled the word and it said it was French for gaming token. So is this kind of like a 17th century casino chip?
"Jeton" certainly covers gaming tokens, but I do not think they were exclusively gaming pieces. They were made for a variety of (nonmonetary) artistic and ceremonial reasons, I suppose.
What's that worth? Man, I have no clue, but generally I'd not be surprised to see something like that in a $10 pick bin. Could be worth more, of course. I'll defer to those more experienced, but perhaps the best way to find out is to do some Googling and/or search closed auctions.
I sure wish Vern McCrea ("elverno") still posted here. You could try him through his website napoleonicmedals.org. He might know something about this one.
As far as value, I don't have a refernce book with it's rarity noted. I've seen jetons of similar style and metal sell on Ebay for $15-20, maybe a little more since this one is in pretty nice condition.
However, without a reference for an identical piece it's hard to be completely sure of a value. That's part of the problem with buying some of these jetons, there are so few of some issues that finding similar sales can be nearly impossible, especially for the harder-to-find issues.
<< <i>So is this kind of like a 17th century casino chip? >>
I'd say probably more of a souvenir piece in this case. As I understand it, by this later date (probably 1804 or there about), jetons were often given as participation pieces at meetings or events.
tydye
Posts: 3,894 ✭✭✭
Comments
Yep, that's a French jeton, looks like a local issue made to hand out during an event most likely.
HERE is some more info on that specific one.
That one actually says "Jeton" (well, the Latin equivalent, "IETON") right on it, which is a first for me.
Very interesting little piece. I wonder what the "H" below the bust stands for. If it's a mintmark, as I suspect, I guess that would mean La Rochelle. Then again, I suppose it could also mean something else.
<< <i>I wonder what the "H" below the bust stands for. If it's a mintmark, as I suspect, I guess that would mean La Rochelle. Then again, I suppose it could also mean something else. >>
Good question.... I also suspect it's the mintmark for La Rochelle, but a few of the older jetons use a single letter for the engraver's initial ("F" for Filius as an example).
What's that worth? Man, I have no clue, but generally I'd not be surprised to see something like that in a $10 pick bin. Could be worth more, of course. I'll defer to those more experienced, but perhaps the best way to find out is to do some Googling and/or search closed auctions.
I sure wish Vern McCrea ("elverno") still posted here. You could try him through his website napoleonicmedals.org. He might know something about this one.
However, without a reference for an identical piece it's hard to be completely sure of a value. That's part of the problem with buying some of these jetons, there are so few of some issues that finding similar sales can be nearly impossible, especially for the harder-to-find issues.
<< <i>So is this kind of like a 17th century casino chip? >>
I'd say probably more of a souvenir piece in this case. As I understand it, by this later date (probably 1804 or there about), jetons were often given as participation pieces at meetings or events.