elverno Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 1801 Séjour à Paris du roi et de la reine d'Etrurie, France. 34mm - Details - R+ Sometimes when you've got a website people write with things available for sale. A woman in British Columbia wrote me about this medal, asking what its value was (I said ~ $300) and a bit of history. Long story short I offered $100 and after a few weeks of frustration she took me up on it. I had pointed out that no one really knew about the Tuscan Bourbons and that unless she could get a European auction house to carry a single item she was unlikely to get the higher price. Local people offered her $25 Canadian, which was an insult in my opinion. If you read the details you'll get to a Wikipedia link that tells the story of the 6 year Kingdom. Louis I died early and his wife became regent for his young son. A few beautiful coins, none of which I own, show them on the obverse. I've wanted this medal for many, many years. There are three varieties that I know of and while this is rare, it's certainly the most common variety. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
constanius Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 You both should be pleased with the deal, you both benefitted, well done. A very interesting piece to add to your ever growing collection and in such beautiful condition too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drusus Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 It really is a striking piece but then again I drool every time I go to your website...if I remember correctly, it was his father who won out between Louis and Leopold who were both wanting to claim the Spanish throne once the horribly inbred Charles II died. Lot of history and confusing family lines there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coinhunter Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 A very beautiful piece you have there, just asking - what is it's diameter and metal? thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Nice. First time i've seen a bona fide example. Paris mint re-strikes appear on the market from time to time (cornucopia edge mark), in fact there's one on the go just now that i had been eyeing up but have decided against buying (ebay item 260511741783). Different design details obverse to your example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elverno Posted December 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Yeah this is an original strike. It was treated with the Paris Mint's dark chocolate artificial patina that has faded somewhat to the left of the Genie on the reverse. The one on the Bay is rare, if it were an original. It is an example of Bramsen 153, undoubtedly struck from the original dies but definitely post-1880. In fact the greenish tinge makes me suspect 1910-1930 when the Mint experimented with various treatments that produced that oddly greenish-bronze look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 I won't name names, but most dealers in B.C. (Greater Vancouver and Victoria) are not very knowledgable about world coins/exonumia (even though most deal in it), and are likely to lowball as a result. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Posted December 3, 2009 Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Beautiful medal. You've got a great collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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