Posted 8 years ago
Militarist
(288 items)
The silver coin on the left is a genuine French five francs coin dated 1869 which was issued by the ill-fated Napoleon III who bit off more than he could chew when he declared war on Prussia in 1870 and lost his crown in defeat. On the right is a bronze copy of that five franc type dated 1870 with a B mint mark. 1870 was the last year for the type, none of which were ever minted with the B mint mark. On the top of the bronze copy is a sturdy loop for wear as a fob. When the loop is pulled to the right the center pulls out to reveal a lighter with flint and wick which is why I call this an incendiary coin. Similar versions exist as pocket knives with two pull out blades. While this coin lighter looks old it is marked Japan on the edge and as such may have been made 1921-1941 and again from 1952 to present.