1710-D French Colonies 30 Deniers, or Mousquetaire. Lyon Mint. Vlack-2. Breen-280, W-11710. Rarity-2. AU-55 (PCGS). 39.8 grains. Mostly light silver gray, somewhat mellowed to deeper gray at centers and over devices. Finely granular but extremely sharp, everywhere, that is, except the soft periphery at upper right obverse and lower right reverse. This piece is a case study in the difficulty in finding choice billon: a coin might offer superb sharpness and even eye appeal (as here), but finding those characteristics alongside a complete strike and smooth surfaces is a rare juxtaposition. This example is ideally centered and problem free, with just a couple little green specks seen on the reverse under strong magnification. This is nicer than the nicest one Ford owned. PCGS# 158635. From the Sydney F. Martin Collection. Earlier ex American Heritage Minting, November 2003.
