sunshine34 Posted May 25, 2010 Report Share Posted May 25, 2010 Hi, i have a 1856 Napoleon III coin. The centre has been carefully cut and Hinged and inside there is a picture of Queen Victoria. Any help with the history and value of this coin would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgard Posted May 25, 2010 Report Share Posted May 25, 2010 Very strange composition! Portrait of old years of Victoria and Napoleon III. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank Posted May 25, 2010 Report Share Posted May 25, 2010 I've never seen one of these --pretty nifty! There are lots of Napoleon III 10 and 20 centimes pieces that have been stamped with advertising slogans, or which have had Napoleon transformed into a Prussian with spiked helmet to blame him (rightly so) for the debacle of the 1870 war. But I've never seen Victoria hidden inside one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine34 Posted May 25, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2010 I've never seen one of these --pretty nifty! There are lots of Napoleon III 10 and 20 centimes pieces that have been stamped with advertising slogans, or which have had Napoleon transformed into a Prussian with spiked helmet to blame him (rightly so) for the debacle of the 1870 war. But I've never seen Victoria hidden inside one... It does seem rare, only come across one other on the net and they were searching for the same info. Does seem a mystery as to why the coin was altered and has a picture of victoria inside. Hoping someone out there will know something about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted May 26, 2010 Report Share Posted May 26, 2010 I've never seen one of these --pretty nifty! There are lots of Napoleon III 10 and 20 centimes pieces that have been stamped with advertising slogans, or which have had Napoleon transformed into a Prussian with spiked helmet to blame him (rightly so) for the debacle of the 1870 war. But I've never seen Victoria hidden inside one... I have one of these Nap III pieces (10 centimes + aged photo of Queen Vic). It's an example of `trench' art and actually made from two ten centimes pieces. The first has the centre of the coin milled down to create the `space' for the photo. The second has everything removed but the bit that forms the `lid'. The two are then married very neatly together to give the impression that it has been made from one piece, which of course would be an impossibility. It, and no doubt others of the same ilk, were created by soldiers as a way of whiling away their time during various conflicts. I also have examples of the defaced 5c's and 10c's which were originally created by French prisoners of war post `battle' of Sedan. They were generally exchanged for food from their German captors. some are quite artistic some are very crude indeed. A bit like `hobo' nickels. Some are outstanding examples of `art' others are coin butchery personified. I also have a pretty good example of a smugglers piece made from two US trade dollars. Again, `trench' art where a sophisticated hinged piece contains a scented photograph of an elderly female. To all intents and purposes it looks and feels just like one normal trade dollar. In Europe there has been a fairly lengthy history of transforming silver talers into jewelery pieces by spooning the edges and transforming two pieces into a casket (almost like a giant locket) I have one half of such a `box' taler in the form of a 1700;s taler from Schwartzburg Sondersheim. The taler is itself quite rare and to all intents and purposes, to the hardened collector, it has been well and truly goosed. To me however, it's just another element of it's history and `collectable'. Original poster: why not post an image of the piece you are querying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunshine34 Posted May 26, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2010 I have one of these Nap III pieces (10 centimes + aged photo of Queen Vic). It's an example of `trench' art and actually made from two ten centimes pieces. The first has the centre of the coin milled down to create the `space' for the photo. The second has everything removed but the bit that forms the `lid'. The two are then married very neatly together to give the impression that it has been made from one piece, which of course would be an impossibility. It, and no doubt others of the same ilk, were created by soldiers as a way of whiling away their time during various conflicts. I also have examples of the defaced 5c's and 10c's which were originally created by French prisoners of war post `battle' of Sedan. They were generally exchanged for food from their German captors. some are quite artistic some are very crude indeed. A bit like `hobo' nickels. Some are outstanding examples of `art' others are coin butchery personified. I also have a pretty good example of a smugglers piece made from two US trade dollars. Again, `trench' art where a sophisticated hinged piece contains a scented photograph of an elderly female. To all intents and purposes it looks and feels just like one normal trade dollar. In Europe there has been a fairly lengthy history of transforming silver talers into jewelery pieces by spooning the edges and transforming two pieces into a casket (almost like a giant locket) I have one half of such a `box' taler in the form of a 1700;s taler from Schwartzburg Sondersheim. The taler is itself quite rare and to all intents and purposes, to the hardened collector, it has been well and truly goosed. To me however, it's just another element of it's history and `collectable'. Original poster: why not post an image of the piece you are querying? thanks for your info on my coin, its great to find a bit of history on this coin finally. Do you know what its value maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Brophy Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 Hi, you post got me really excited, as I have a coin very similar to yours & have been searching for info for a VERY long time.My coin has a roman coin welded(?) to the inside.Its an 1856 Napoleon III 10 Centimes Coin with a Secret Compartment. I:ve found a second one (I was very excited & bought it straight away) & its cost me $250.00 aus to purchase & be sent to Australia. it has nothing in its centre.I will attach a photo of the one I have now, as the second one is being shipped lolGood luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Brophy Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 This is the one I have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corina Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 very cool and interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsraghead Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 I like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccg Posted July 6, 2013 Report Share Posted July 6, 2013 And on the larger coins (e.g. 5F) you'll often find them made into knives Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazinta Posted July 8, 2013 Report Share Posted July 8, 2013 I have an Ecuador 5 sucres, 1944 which was made into a spoon. The coin is curved and the creator added a decorated spoon handle with the design of a dog and a person on the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiho Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Hi, i have a 1856 Napoleon III coin. The centre has been carefully cut and Hinged and inside there is a picture of Queen Victoria. Any help with the history and value of this coin would be greatly appreciated. Quite possibly a one of a kind creation and very well done. Definitely has value to the right collector. If you sell it on eBay let us know as some of us may bid. PS - Ian, I love your descriptions. "Some are outstanding examples of `art' others are coin butchery personified." "The taler is itself quite rare and to all intents and purposes, to the hardened collector, it has been well and truly goosed." Write a book about coins and I will buy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art1.2 Posted August 7, 2013 Report Share Posted August 7, 2013 Very interesting thread. Great information about these wonderful pieces of art.Thanks to everyone for their posts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freak Posted August 9, 2013 Report Share Posted August 9, 2013 They are fascinating to see and learn a little history behind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kings Bluff Posted August 26, 2013 Report Share Posted August 26, 2013 Very cool. Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSC Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I think some hollowed out coins are called smugglers coins this trench art is great, congratulations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard alexander Posted December 24, 2015 Report Share Posted December 24, 2015 I also have one of these. This is the first valid info I've ever gotten. I'll check other replies to your post and see if my questions are answered. My coin was given to my father in the 50'S By a gentleman in England. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chat Posted October 8, 2018 Report Share Posted October 8, 2018 I have also been searching on the internet about one of these coins. France 5 Centimes Napoléon III -1854 Good to see I finally have found some. I am not a coin collector so if anyone out there is interested in purchasing one, I would be happy to hear from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas J Tyson Posted April 5, 2019 Report Share Posted April 5, 2019 Hi Sunshine34! Greetings from the US! I cannot believe I am seeing this coin again! I was in possession of your coin from 1978-1999. I am aware of a few facts about it and would like to share them with you. I know its history from about 1939 but not before that. And I was the person who found the 'secret'. The internet is a miracle! I have always wondered what happened to it. Please email me at the address I gave you. I'll give you my phone number if you'd like. I would love to know how you happened across it (I never knew what happened to it because it was lost) and I can tell you an interesting story about it (where it was between 1939-1999) as well as a couple of things I figured out about it. I realize I'm nine years late seeing, and responding to, your post. But better late than never! sincerely, and hoping to talk, Thomas J. Tyson On 5/25/2010 at 11:16 AM, sunshine34 said: Hi, i have a 1856 Napoleon III coin. The centre has been carefully cut and Hinged and inside there is a picture of Queen Victoria. Any help with the history and value of this coin would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas J Tyson Posted April 5, 2019 Report Share Posted April 5, 2019 Hi again, Sunshine34 I can also say with certainty that it is not a "photo", as a person above posted. It is an oil miniature. It is impossible for it to be a photo. Examine it with a good magnifying lens and you will see this to be the case; but its provenance alone precludes the notion of a photograph, as I can explain. hope to talk, Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KayCee046 Posted June 15, 2019 Report Share Posted June 15, 2019 This thread has been very very interesting to read! Thank u all! As for “Tom” joining in on the conversation a decade later - just like me, then I think it’s made it all the more interesting - to be perfectly honest! Oooh I hope the original post writer comes back to check one day! Lol But anyway... 😋 Now, the reason I’m here was to find out a bit more about a coin like has been described here! Mine is a French coin & has one of these hidden compartments in it too... But I don’t have a clue of who my picture is meant to be of, inside...??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas J Tyson Posted July 12, 2019 Report Share Posted July 12, 2019 Hi KayCee046! And Hello to Melbourne (I'm California and Colorado), I too hope the original post writer checks in one day. I would love to know more about your coin! Is it Napoleon III? Apparently you have the only other one with a portrait still in it. Might it be of Queen Victoria, or of Maria Theresa of Austria? I wish you would post a photo. I've been checking back here occasionally since my post above...I'll check again sometime soon... Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cointro4 Posted March 30, 2021 Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 Hi all, It was great to read this chain of posts. I too have a coin similar to the original post. Every now and again I try to find out a bit about it. My Dad collected coins and found this coin in a bag of coins he purchased in the 70's thinking there was something a bit different about it. The hinge and lid were hidden with grime but eventually it popped open. I think it is a picture of Queen Victoria in the 1870's but not sure. Any additional information on this would be welcomed. Troy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Watson Posted October 21, 2021 Report Share Posted October 21, 2021 I also have one of these. It’s a French 10 centime coin from the 1800’s with a miniature oil of Queen Victoria. It’s somewhere in my coin collection up in the loft. I bought it at a car boot sale in Norwich for £20 about 22 years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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