Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 12/4/2009

Question
The coin's condition surely makes it look its age. On the face of the coin, I see a bust facing to the left. The edge is worn down to where I can only see the bottom half of "XVI ROI DES." I think this is a coin from where Louis XVI was king of France. It was also made a year before his execution. (Paying attention is school helped me there. :P)
On the back side, I would guess it shows a pillar with something on top of it. On either side of the pillar, I see what I think is 6 flowers on a vine. The edge isn't as worn as the front. I see the date 1792, and next to it I see "4 DELALIE." On the other side of the date, there is an anchor which is followed by what I make out as "LANATION LA LOI LA ROI."
As well as identification, I would like to know what this coin could be worth granted it is in a fair condition.
Any help with this will be very much appreciated!

Gage


Answer
Hi Gage,
Your coin is indeed French and depicts Louis XVI. The complete legends would read "LOUIS XVI ROI DES FRANCOIS" and on the reverse "LANATION LALOI LE ROI" with "4 DELALIB" next to the date.
This is a 12 deniers denomination, you may see faint signs of a 12 and a D in the empty spaces at either side of the column (on the reverse). There would typically be a mint mark below the portrait, either an A, BB or MA for Paris, Strasbourg or Marseilles mints. The values for either are fairly close, though the Paris mint is a bit cheaper. The anchor on the back is an engraver's privy mark, and likely from the Paris mint.
By the old French currency system, 12 deniers is equal to 1 sol, 20 sols equals 1 livre, and 6 livres equals one ecu. The ecu was their equivalent of a silver crown or dollar. So, the equivalent value of the 12 deniers is 1/120th of one dollar. That's pretty amazing to imagine with our modern currency, but back then it could buy you a days worth of food and shelter!
The  collectible value for a decent example with some obliterated legends would be between $10 and $20. Really worn coins starts at under $5 and top condition examples can reach well over $100.
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Thanks for the question! =)