1752 (1880-1898) Franco-American Jeton. Mercury Over The Seas. Betts-386, Breton-512. Silver. MS-62 (PCGS).28.9 mm. 143.8 grains. Medal turn. Edge marked (cornucopia) ARGENT, designating this as a product of the Paris Mint in the era from 1880 to 1898. Deeply reflective on the reverse, with elegant champagne and pastel blue toning, a bit darker and more glossy on the obverse. Well struck and well centered on a broad planchet. Few flaws are noted, though magnification finds some light hairlines in the wide reverse field. An essentially identical piece graded AU-58 (PCGS) was sold in our Syd Martin sale of August 2023, lot 8078, bringing $4,320. Though miscataloged as circa 1845-60, that ex Ford piece bore the identical edge marking and had a very similar overall look. This is one of the scarcer entries in the Franco-American jeton series, missing from Partrick and other collections. The Ford-Martin coin is the only example of this Betts number weve sold in the last 20 years, separated by 17 years.From the Joe Foster Collection.
