The Castorland Jetons or "demi écus"

Early restrike

obverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

reverse 500 dpi 250 dpi

1796                               Castorland - restrike, pointing finger privy mark

Obverse:  FRANCO-AMERICANA COLONIA   CASTORLAND   1796   [under head] DUV
Reverse:  SALVE MAGNA   PARENS FRUGUM
Edge:  [pointing finger] CUIVRE

Weight:  128.2 g   (8.31 grams)                  Diameter:  31.9 mm

Comments:   This is a mid-ninteenth centry restrike. On the obverse the initial A is low in AMERICANA, the numeral 1 in the date is also low and touches the border denticle. Also the TO touch in CASTORLAND. On the reverse in SALVE the S is lower than the other letters, the M is somewhat below the A in MAGNA and the UG touch in FRUGUM.

In this particular restrike on the obverse note that AMERICANA COLON is doubled with the lower impression being higher. Also, the top of the F in FRANCO and the bottom of the C in CATORLAND are defective. On the reverse SALVE MAGNA is doubled with the lower impression being higher and to the right. In FRUGUM the top of the G is defective. The word "CUIVRE" (Copper) without reeding is found on the edge at 6:00 o'clock preceded by a pointing finger (main indicatrice) click here for detail. This is privy mark of the Paris Mint Director 1845-1860.

Provenance:   Purchased with the Robert Gore Numismatic Endowment from EANA auction, April 20, 1996, lot 94, where it is misidentifed as "one of the earliest restrikes known...".

Description revised October, 4, 2004. I would like to thank Ian Milne of Scotland for identifying and dating the privy mark on the edge of this item.

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