Different Metals/Colors On A Trio Of French Coins 1780-1790?

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paralyse Bedrock of the Community United States 12041 Posts	Posted 07/28/2024 01:16 am Good evening CCF Won this small trio of inexpensive low-grade French coins recently and was curious as to why the colors are quite different. Was there a change in metal composition between these years as the transition was done into Revolutionary coinage, or is there some other explanation for why these coins struck relatively closely together are so noticeably different in their appearance? 1786 T Sol (Nantes) - a dark, coppery color like you would see on early US Large Cents 1791 R Sol (Orleans) Dot - a brassy lighter color with a bit of coppery red in places 1792 B 2 Sols (Rouen) Francois - looks like a brassy bronze color that reminds me of the old Irish gun money or Roman orichalcum. Thoughts welcomed, thanks! Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis Edited by paralyse 07/28/2024 01:19 am Report this Post to the Staff

Hondo Boguss Bedrock of the Community United States 15745 Posts	Posted 07/28/2024 01:52 am My thoughts: a) 1786 T Sol - environmental issues b) 1791 R Sol - harsh chemical cleaning c) 1792 B 2 Sols - although these are supposed to be copper, I've seen much variability in the color of these. I believe that there was a great deal of latitude in the alloys used to mint these coins. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures Report this Post to the Staff
paralyse Bedrock of the Community United States 12041 Posts	Posted 07/28/2024 02:13 am The 2 sols is the one that stands out a bit more to me, as it's very much un-copper-like in its appearance. I have a few other 2 Sols with similar color. The 1st coin definitely has env. damage - that's a given - the second coin does not appear to have been cleaned harshly, though, although the photos may not really reflect that (hasty cell-phone snap.) Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis Report this Post to the Staff
NumisRob Bedrock of the Community United Kingdom 16067 Posts	Posted 07/28/2024 02:41 am Bells from churches were torn down during the French Revolution and some of the metal went to the French Mint. The yellowish-colored coins are called 'sous de clochers' (belfry halfpennies) in France as they are supposedly made from bell metal. My Trade List: http://goccf.com/t/194596 My Wants List: http://goccf.com/t/191710 Report this Post to the Staff
paralyse Bedrock of the Community United States 12041 Posts	Posted 07/28/2024 1:08 pm That would probably be a good explanation, NumisRob, thanks! I'll look up to see when the dates were of the bell metal coins I have a 1793-BB 2 Sols (L'an 5) and the metal is almost identical in color. Member ANA - EAC - TNA - SSDC - CCT #890 "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done." -- Louis D. Brandeis Report this Post to the Staff
Dearborn Moderator United States 64151 Posts	Posted 07/28/2024 10:17 pm good information Rob Collecting since 1972. Learning from then on "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin 7070 type set coin count: 47/76 Uncirculated American Silver Eagles My American Silver Eagle Proof Collection Innovation Dollars Eisenhower-Dollars Kennedy-Half Dollars Washington-Quarters Roosevelt-Dimes Buffalo-Nickels Jefferson-Nickels Lincoln-Cents Report this Post to the Staff
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