Monnaie de Singe

21mm, brass-plated plastic?

Paul writes: As well as being brothels these establishments were gaming houses. As far as I know they were in full swing in the 1890 - 1939 period, but their heyday was certainly the period 1900 - 1930. I have a collection of about 100 of these pieces. Some advertise the delights - GIRLS ! GIRLS ! GIRLS ! whilst others are imitations of coinage types, others are somewhat more specific, with a moon-face cleverly combining the male and female genitalia, whilst another has the letter Q in the centre. This is a reference to the french word 'cul' which translates (politely) as 'backside'. The pieces of coinage type were probably gaming counters which were sold by the hundred - but even so, are now quite difficult to find.
Bob writes: "Monnaie de Singe", translates as "monkey money" or what some dictionaries will define as "sham coin", but the common term for French brothel tokens.
Bob writes: It is an advertising piece, given away in the streets. Monmartre is a district of Paris and these "shell cards" (thin brass on card filling) are commonly met with, this particular piece being one of the more frequently met with pieces. I have a number for French brothels, they were given to Englishmen often to advertise the exciting prospects of their trip to Paris! The maker is probably Cartaux of Paris, I think the business quit in the 1930's

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