Polygonal (16-sided), Brass, 23.5mm. HOMAGE A L'INVENTEUR around helmeted and armoured male bust right. PARIS below truncation. R. ·CRAYON MENGIN · FG ST. MARTIN, 25 around, in centre, in three lines 20Cs LE CRAYON VF
Mengin was a Parisian street entertainer in the mid 1800s. He dressed as a soldier with a crested helmet and sold pencils while performing magic tricks. He is mentioned in several contemporary books. The address, 25 Rue du Faubourg Saint Martin, is now a restaurant Chez Arthur. It was rumoured that Mengin was wealthy, but on his death in 1864, his home was said to be 'clean, but of extreme simplicity' so the chances are that he was merely eccentric.
He sold gold-coloured pencils and and gave a medalet imitating a Louis d'or with each pencil sold.
NB All of the photographs of coins (or books) offered on our website are unretouched images of the actual coin (or book) offered for sale. We endeavour to grade our coins and describe our books strictly and to high standards.
Paris - Advertising Ticket or Token. Mengin - Parisian street entertainer
The contents of this website including images are Copyright 2020 Galata - All Rights Reserved.