French 1 Centime Coin Charm Pendant

This item is a numismatic charm pendant featuring a copper-colored French 1 centime coin (épi type) mounted within a polished gold-tone metal frame. The coin is circular and displays a large numeral '1' in the center, flanked by wheat ears, with the word 'CENTIME' curved along the bottom edge. The bezel mounting is a smooth, circular frame made of a reflective yellow metal, likely gold-plated or high-polish brass, which includes an integrated small bail or loop at the top for suspension on a chain. The coin shows visible signs of age and circulation; specifically, there is significant green oxidation or verdigris at the bottom center near the mint marks, and several dark spots indicative of surface corrosion or toning. The bezel appears to be in relatively good condition with minor surface scratches. Based on the 1 centime design, the coin likely dates from the 1960s to the late 1990s, during the Fifth Republic period before the adoption of the Euro. The craftsmanship is of a commercial decorative grade, commonly seen in travel souvenirs or vintage fashion jewelry from the mid-to-late 20th century.

I have virtually examined this French 1 centime 'épi' coin pendant. The coin, a common copper-steel alloy used between 1962 and 2001, features the classic wheat motif designed by Raymond Joly. Structurally, the coin shows significant degradation; I observe heavy cupric oxidation (verdigris) at the base and dark spot corrosion, which permanently compromises the numismatic grade. The bezel is a mass-produced commercial mounting, likely gold-plated base metal rather than solid karat gold, given the visible surface wear and standard bail construction common in 20th-century souvenir jewelry. Market demand for this item is low, as millions of these coins remain in circulation and the 'épi' series is not considered rare among collectors. Comparables on secondary markets (such as Etsy or eBay) for similar base-metal coin charms typically sell in the $10-$20 range. The value is primarily sentimental or decorative rather than investment-grade. Several limitations exist in this digital assessment. From the image alone, I cannot confirm the metal composition of the bezel or the 'fineness' of the gold plating. A physical inspection using a jeweler's loupe is required to check for hallmarks, and a magnet test or X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis would be necessary to rule out precious metal content. Furthermore, I cannot verify if the coin is a genuine mintage or a period reproduction without weighing it and measuring its diameter to within 0.01mm. This appraisal assumes the mounting is non-precious; if the bezel is hallmarked 14k or 18k gold, the value would increase significantly based on the spot price of the gold content.