France 1808-I franc

Stack's Bowers September 2025 Collectors Choice sale, lot 71392

This specimen was lot 71392 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2025), where it sold for $504. The catalog description^[1] noted, "FRANCE. Empire. Franc, 1808-I. Limoges Mint. Napoleon I. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, AU Details. Though some very minor cleaning is observed, this enchanting example nevertheless remains exceptionally attractive through its golden toning and fairly sharp strike. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Boutin in 1957 for FF 500). Ex: Serge Boutin FPL 99 (1957) Lot # 249." This was struck at Limoges under the régime of Napoleon as emperor. The type was struck 1807-08. However, despite being in production for little over a year, more were made (11.8 million) than of the subsequent type (F.205) minted 1809-14 (10.0 million). It was demonetized in 1869. The catalog^[2] notes 16 date-mintmark combinations for the type, some very rare.

Recorded mintage: 255,815^[2], a better date.

Specification: 5 g, 0.900 fine silver, 23 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. Designed by Pierre Joseph Tiolier, 1763-1819.

Catalog reference: F.204/7, KM-682.6; Gad-446.

Sources:

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.
^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, including Selections from the Richard Margolis Collection and Selections from the L.E. Bruun Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.

Link to:

France 1808-I franc

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