French Jeton token(?)

element159 · June 9, 2013 11:20AM

Does anybody know about French copper Jeton tokens(I assume)?

I just got one from eBay, it has a crocodile-chained-to-palm-tree design modeled after an ancient coin. I have one of the COL NEM coins, but this design was in much better shape so I bought it.
The seller described as:
BEAUTIFUL FRENCH COPPER JETON UNDATED by CAQUE
FROM THE ROMAN COLONIAL CITY OF NIMES COAT OF ARMS

It says 1682 on the back but I can't imagine it is that old.

I don't know anything else about this or similar coppers, so I humbly query the board...

orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557">eBay Link

oakcoin · June 9, 2013 11:30AM

I could not find it in the mitchiner reference. perhaps someone else will know.

Sapyx · June 9, 2013 12:55PM

Definitely not from 1682. The style looks 1800s, maybe early 1900s.

brg5658 · June 9, 2013 1:14PM

The crocodile design side is signed "Caque F.", who is a well known French medalist. I would not call it a jeton, but rather a medal. If it has a cornucopia on the edge (as the description says) then it was likely struck at the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint) after Jan 1st, 1880. The edge mint marks varied by timeframe, and the cornucopia has been the mark used since 1880 -- sometime after 1950 you will find both the cornucopia and the year (e.g., "1985") struck on the edge.

I hope this points you in the right direction a bit more. I'd consult "medal" references, not those for Jetons.

-----------

My personal opinion: I'm almost certain the medal does not date from 1682. The Academie du Gard was founded in 1682 in Nimes, and if I had to make a WAG, I'd guess this medal was struck in 1882 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of this. Just a wild guess.

element159 · June 9, 2013 1:46PM

I'm not sure of the edge mark. One one edge, there is a little symbol, which to me is between a star and a blob, and the text 'CUIVRE'.

FilthyBroke · June 9, 2013 8:27PM

There was a 1600's design as you describe, but with an edgemark it would have to be mid-1800's or later. Many early jeton designs were redone during that era for new jetons or medals, usually combining the old design with a more modern one for the reverse. I don't remember the original reverse of that one off-hand. Definitely a copper (cuivre) restrike.

brg5658 · June 9, 2013 11:11PM

<< <i>I'm not sure of the edge mark. One one edge, there is a little symbol, which to me is between a star and a blob, and the text 'CUIVRE'. >>

CUIVRE is the french word for "Copper". The cornucopia is a bit "blob" looking, especially on early pieces. I still think you have an 1880's piece, likely celebrating the 200th anniversary of the "Academie du Gard" (founded in 1682).

Be patient, sometimes it can take a while to track down the original source of these medals...

French Jeton token(?)

Comments