© gringo.l
© gringo.l
20 Centimes - Crayon Mengin Paris ND
| Brass | - | 23.5 mm |
| Location | France |
|---|---|
| Type | Medals › Advertising medallions |
| Years | 1850-1864 |
| Value | 20 Centimes (0.20) |
| Composition | Brass |
| Diameter | 23.5 mm |
| Thickness | 1.15 mm |
| Shape | Dodecagonal (12-sided) |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-11-12 |
| Numista | N#67455 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 91% |
Reverse
Script: Latin
Lettering:
CRAYON MENGIN
20 c
le crayon
Fg .St. MARTIN, 64
Translation: CRAYON MENGIN / 20 c.s le CRAYON / Fs.St. Martin, 64
Edge
12-sided smooth
Comment
Mengin lived in Paris where he was a street entertainer in the mid 1800's.He dressed as a Roman soldier and sold special pencils while performing magic tricks.
He is mentioned in several books of the period
The address, 25 Rue du Faubourg Saint Martin, now houses the restaurant "Chez Arthur". Mengin was rumoured to be rich, but on his death in 1864, his home was reported to be "clean, but of extreme simplicity."
Mengin sold gold-coloured pencils and included a medal of this kind (vaguely looking like a Louis d'or) with each pencil sold. There are several types of this advertising medal, with a more or less crude design.
http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php?topic=7603.0
