FRENCH COIN COLLECTING ?
Trial Coins
| From the 19th century onwards, emissions of coins were preceded by contests in which different engravers would produce trial coins amongst which the definitive type was chosen. |
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The reverse side of one of the first trial coins of a silver 1-franc piece. Estimated at : 2 800 FRF. |
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These trial coins are often rare or very rare and at the moment not the object of many collections : there are no complete catalogues, no references, no indications of scarcity. The monetary contests of the 19th century are particularly interesting, for all the well-known engravers of the time took part. The 1830 contest brought together more than twenty engravers including the famous Barrye, but it was the 1848 contest which is most memorable : the new Republic was represented with greater freedom and variety than was that of Charles X . |
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A 5-franc trial coin, in two metals from 1935. |
A 5-franc trial coin, of the Maréchal Pétain. |  |
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From then on, each new emission of coins, was preceded by a pre-series, or trial coins. Usually struck in very small quantities, they are always in superb condition and generally of very low value. A new 10-centime piece trial coin, 1870, which was previously unknown, was presented in our sale MONNAIES IV, 1598, at 2 500 FRF (450 dollars ). |
