Switzerland, Medal, Société Suisse de Numismatique
Avenches - 1898 - AU(50-53)
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8 gr.
1898
1898 in France
In that year, France was in its Third Republic. Émile Zola published “J’accuse...!” in the newspaper L’Aurore. The Dreyfus Affair and Zola’s trial made headlines all year long.
The same year saw the foundation of the General Electric Company (CGE) and the French League for Human Rights (LDH). In Paris, crowds thronged to visit the first Motor Show, held in the Tuileries Gardens. Louis Renault and Edward Richet created the Renault Type A, work began on Paris Métro Line 1, and the Curies announced the discovery of radium.
An “AU(50-53)” quality
As in numismatics, it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
About Uncirculated(50-53)
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has circulated well from hand to hand and pocket to pocket but the impact on its wear remains limited: the coins displays sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. The number (50-53) indicates that at least half of the original luster remains. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.
You might be wondering why there are different ranges of numbers behind the same abbreviation. Well, we’ll explain:
The numbers are subdivisions within a category, showing that the state of conversation is the same but coins may be at the higher or lower end of the scale. In the case of AU, the range (55-58) indicates that the luster is better preserved in than a similar coin described as (50-53).
