France 1807-W 5 francs

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Stack's Bowers 2025 NYINC sale, lot 34088
SB125-34088r.jpg

This specimen was lot 34088 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2025), where it sold for $5,040. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. Empire. 5 Francs, 1807-W. Lille Mint. Napoleon I. PCGS MS-62. The only example of the date and mint in the PCGS census, this delightful, nearly-Choice crown dazzles with impressive cabinet toning and some subtle brilliance radiating throughout. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Stack's in 1996 for $1,540). Ex: Stack's (12/1996) Lot # 1823." Shown is a Napoleonic five francs struck at the Lille mint in 1806-07. It is a somewhat common type struck two years only. The various designs of Napoleonic five francs form eight distinct types of which this is the fourth, struck 1806-07 with a complete set of this type comprising 23 date and mintmark combinations, some very rare. This date is scarce for the type, being priced nearly four times the common date (1806-A). It was officially withdrawn from circulation in 1928 and demonetized in 2005 but ceased to circulate in France after World War One.

Recorded mintage: 28,975[2].

Specification: 25 grams, 0.900 fine silver, 37 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. Designed by Pierre Joseph Tiolier, 1763-1819.

Catalog reference: Dav-83; Sobin-55; KM-673.13; Gad-581; F.304/23.

Source:

  • Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
  • Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
  • Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
  • [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
  • George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
  • [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2025 NYINC Showcase Auction, featuring the Richard Margolis Collection, Part III, and the Richard August Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.

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