Here is a neat little 8K gold coin i picked up. It is still sealed in the plastic holder. I think it is from Italy maybe a 5 lire maybe 1818 (eyes are not what they use to be plus a little bit of a weak stamp). Just wondered if any one had any ideas. looked on ebay and saw several in similar packaging but they were all from Mexico. Thanks
Can't tell if it's weak details or wear in the photo Where did you get this coin? There were no plastic holders in the 19th Century so obviously the plastic holder has nothing to do with the original minting of the coin in 1818. Is the holder used by a specific dealer or auction house? I'm sorry that I have more questions than answers for you. I would expect sharper details and better defined denticles on a genine French coin of 1818 but I really do not know this coin to say weather it is real or fake.
it is napoleon but it's not french, the obverse inscription states quite clearly that this is a sicillian coin, now to shatter your confidence, the coin is one of many small "gold" coins which appear regularly and they are all copies or even fantasy pieces. another great give away is that in 1818 napoleon was safely incarcerated on the island of st helena................how much did you pay for it???
I picked it up at a flea market a week or so back. I only gave a buck for it because I did not figure there was much authenticity to it. I know it was not origional to the plastic holder but thought maybe there was a company that packaged them later on. Obviously even if it is 8K it is not worth much as far as gold value goes because it is so small. I was surprised to see the other ones on ebay in identical plastics selling for up to $35. Still think its a neat conversation piece though. Thanks for the info.
