Historical European Coins: Swiss 1 Rappen (1861) and Belgian 10 Centimes (1923)

This pair of vintage European coins consists of a Swiss 1 Rappen and a Belgian 10 Centimes piece. The first coin is a 1861-B Swiss Rappen, struck in bronze (copper/tin/zinc). It features the numeral '1' over the date '1861' and the Bern 'B' mint mark, enclosed within a circular oak wreath. The second coin is a 1923 Belgian 10 Centimes, identifiable by its iconic central hole. This holed variety is made of Cupro-nickel and features the French legend 'ROYAUME DE BELGIQUE' with the date '1923' and a crowned royal monogram of King Albert I (intertwined 'A'). Both coins exhibit a rich, darkened circulation patina with significant surface oxidation; the 1861 Rappen shows a brownish-orange copper tone while the 1923 piece has a greyish metallic tarnish typical of aged nickel alloys. Wear is evident on the relief details and rims, indicating they were heavily circulated currency from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are no significant gouges, but the softening of the lettering suggests a grade of approximately Good to Very Good (G/VG) for the Swiss piece and Fine (F) for the Belgian piece.

I have examined the Swiss 1 Rappen (1861-B) and the Belgian 10 Centimes (1923) through the provided documentation and visual details. The Swiss piece exhibits a heavy brownish-orange patina consistent with mid-19th-century bronze compositions, though the softening of the oak wreath and date suggests a grade of Good to Very Good (G/VG). The Belgian 10 Centimes, featuring the Albert I monogram and distinctive central hole, shows less overall wear and survives in Fine (F) condition with typical greyish cupro-nickel oxidation. Both pieces appear authentic based on die characteristics and common indicators of age-related wear. Market demand for mid-18th and early 20th-century base metal European coinage remains steady among entry-level numismatists. The 1861-B Swiss Rappen is a common date, with a mintage of roughly 2.3 million; it carries a modest premium as a Victorian-era bronze. The 1923 Belgian 10 Centimes is highly common, with over 15 million struck, and commands only nominal value despite its attractive hole design. Current retail comparables for this pair at these specific grades typically aggregate to $12–$18 USD. Limitations to this appraisal: A definitive determination of authenticity and grade cannot be made from images alone. In-person examination is required to verify the weight (1.0g for the Rappen; 3.0g for the 10 Centimes) and diameter to ensure they are not contemporary counterfeits or specimens with cleaned/restored surfaces. Scientific testing, such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) to confirm metal alloy composition, would further validate the 1861 piece's bronze integrity.