Egypt 1865 5 francs Suez Canal KM-Tn4
The coin shown is a five franc Suez Canal Token, issued by Ch. & A. Bazin. These tokens were issued during the construction of the Suez Canal for use as money by company employees. Construction of the canal began in 1859 and completed in 1869. The obverse features a ship, presumably passing through the future canal, and the issuer and denomination on the reverse. All script is in French.
This specimen was lot 23756 in Heritage sale 3024 (Chicago, April 2013), where it sold for $2,115. The catalog description[1] noted, "Suez Canal Token copper 5 Francs 1865, Proof 61 BN NGC, issued by Ch. & A. Bazin, glossy surfaces. The obverse features an ancient sailing ship with oars to the side. A very popular token issue and rarely seen in Proof."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: brass.
Catalog reference: KM Tn4.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3024, featuring the Kairos and Elizabeth McPhall Charters Collections, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
Links to:
- Egypt 1865 20 centimes Suez Canal KM-Tn1, Ch. & A. Bazin
- Egypt 1865 20 centimes Suez Canal KM-Tn5, Borel Lavalley & Co.
- Egypt 1865 50 centimes Suez Canal KM-Tn2, Ch. & A. Bazin
- Egypt 1865 50 centimes Suez Canal KM-Tn6, Borel Lavalley & Co.
- Egypt 1865 1 franc Suez Canal KM-Tn7, Borel Lavalley & Co.
- Egypt 1892 5 francs Suez Canal KM-Tn14
- Coins and currency dated 1865
- return to coins of Egypt