Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 11/23/2009

Question
Hi,
I have a coin that seems to be french dated 1856. It has the head of someone that looks like tsar Nicholas II on it with the inscription of Napoleon III Empereur and on the other side that of an eagle.Empire Francais and Dix Gentimes. Further the coin opens like a locket that has a photograph in it of what appears to be the Tsar himself. Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Warren,
This is an unusual crafted item, likely made as a souvenir or keepsake. Is it an actual photograph of the French emperor Napoleon III or does it look like it's been painted? Such items are extremely popular at auction and a well made piece (not crudely made) easily can sell for over $100. If you have an actual photograph, that would be odd since photography had not been developed until after his death. At that time it would be a hand painted portrait or engraved print. The hand painted portrait would be the most valuable, while a photographic image may in fact be slightly later and worth somewhat less.
If the picture is actually of the Russian tsar inside a French coin, it would be worth more if the picture and locket were sold as two separate pieces. There would be two completely different groups of bidders interested in the two.
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Thanks for the question! =)