Help! 17th century French coin/s for a present

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

My mother is not a collector, but she has been expressing interest in 17th century French coins, "The more ornate ones", she said.

I'm certainly no expert in modern coins. I'd like to get one from the period as a birthday present, c. $200 or less.  I did a search and I've been considering the bronze medals. They would fit the bill, large and impressive. A restrike is acceptable if it's somewhat within that period (like an 18th c. restrike).  How do I avoid the really modern restrikes, other than the ones which look suspiciously new?

Numiscorner seems to have a lot, but they have crappy (terse) descriptions.  I've been looking at coins of Louis XIV.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[CPK]

I would look to see what cgb.fr has to offer. They are based in France, are very knowledgeable, and have a huge inventory French coins/medals. I've also found them pretty responsive when asked for a discount - doesn't work every time but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Good luck! I'd be interested to see what you wind up getting.

 

[ominus1]

CBG"S good...perhaps a medallion....:)

[DonnaML]

Buy her one or two nice Louis XIV bronze medals, and then research them. If you read French, the massive 18th century catalogues of Louis XIV medals should be available online, including at BNF Gallica.  Buying French bronze medals is one thing Ebay is actually good for (see https://www.ebay.com/sch/3182/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=Louis+XIV++medals ). The medals of Louis XIV tend to be less expensive than Napoleonic medals. And most of the dealers will tell you whether a medal is a restrike. Recent restrikes generally have a date on the edge anyway. For some photos of a few examples -- they look very nice when enlarged -- see https://web.archive.org/web/20190213075533/https://www.pauljbosco.com/louisXIV.htm (the medals are theoretically for sale but his website appears to be down and he hasn't answered his emails for years anyway; he had a table at NYINC this year, but didn't show up, at least on the first day!); http://www.historicalartmedals.com/MEDAL WEB ENTRIES/THUMBNAILS/FRANCE/FRANCE-16TH & 17TH CENTURY/brand new thumbnails.htm (a collection, not for sale)

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Thanks.  A couple of the listings said old restrike.  I'll probably just go with that.

[Qcumbor]

I would go the CGB route too. They are quite expensive but with imppecable service. Numiscorner is shamlessly overpriced

Q

 

Edit to add : what about something like that : 

https://www.cgb.fr/louis-xiv-le-grand-ou-le-roi-soleil-demi-ecu-aux-huit-l-2e-type-1704-caen-ttb,bry_554796,a.html

https://www.cgb.fr/louis-xiv-le-grand-ou-le-roi-soleil-demi-ecu-aux-trois-couronnes-1710-paris-ttb-ttb-,bry_700522,a.html

Edited August 14, 2023 by Qcumbor

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Thanks for the recommendations!

I have a couple of medals bookmarked from numiscorner.  I'll probably pick one.  This doesn't have to be the only birthday present.

While she's very interested in history and this period, she's not a collector.  I didn't want to get a super-expensive one, as I would get thanked and this will be stored away.

My dad is more of a collector, and a Roman one.  That makes gift ideas easier!

Although the very few coins I purchased from numiscorner were fairly priced, I see what you mean about pricing.  For example, a couple of fairly worn Domitian asses with nice patinas were priced at 70-something Euros, when they should be around $35-50.  My particular medal in mind may or may not be overpriced, but it's still well under the price point of silver.  I will, however, also browse cgb this week.  I also have ordered from numiscorner before and know what to expect.

 

[antwerpen2306]

Maybe you can find a coin here, I think you can translate it by google

https://www.fleurdecoin.eu/stock15_MUN8.html#k10