France 1809-D 5 francs
This specimen was lot 71297 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2025), where it sold for $3,120. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. Empire. 5 Francs, 1809-D. Lyon Mint. Napoleon I. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, EF Details. With a mintage figure that already suggest SCARCITY, this type would appear to be even more difficult to encounter. Even gray surfaces are observed, with some minor cleaning across both sides. Nevertheless, an important and impressive crown. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Patrick Guillard on 16 May 2006 for $2,180)." Silver five francs were minted throughout Napoleon's reign in large quantities using looted bullion. This type succeeded the "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE" reverse struck 1807-08. A complete set of this type comprises 95 date and mintmark combinations, some very rare. None were reported of this date in Le Franc. The entire production run totaled about 127 million pieces. All silver five francs were officially recalled in 1928 but ceased to circulate after World War I. This coin was legal tender in the United States until 1857 at a value of 93 cents.
Recorded mintage: 11,023[2], a very rare date.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, 37 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. Designed by Pierre Joseph Tiolier, 1763-1819.
Catalog reference: Dav-85; F.307/4, KM-694.5; Gad-584.
- 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, 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:
- 1808-D ½ franc
- 1808-D franc
- 1808-A 5 francs
- 1808-B 5 francs
- 1808-BB 5 francs
- 1808-H 5 francs
- 1808-K 5 francs
- 1808-L 5 francs
- 1808-M 5 francs
- 1808-MA 5 francs
- 1808-Q 5 francs
- 1808-U 5 francs
- 1808-W 5 francs
- 1809-A 10 centimes
- 1809-B 10 centimes
- 1809-I 10 centimes
- 1809-T 10 centimes
- 1809-A ¼ franc
- 1809-A ½ franc
- 1809-B ½ franc
- 1809-D ½ franc
- 1809-K ½ franc
- 1809-U ½ franc
- 1809-A franc
- 1809-B franc
- 1809-H franc
- 1809-W franc
- 1809-A 2 francs
- 1809 2 francs, visit of the king of Saxony to the mint
- 1809-B 2 francs
- 1809-H 2 francs
- 1809-MA 2 francs
- 1809-Q 2 francs
- 1809-A 5 francs
- 1809-B 5 francs
- 1809-H 5 francs
- 1809-I 5 francs
- 1809-K 5 francs
- 1809-L 5 francs
- 1809-MA 5 francs
- 1809-U 5 francs
- 1809-W 5 francs
- 1809-A 20 francs
- 1809-H 20 francs
- 1809-K 20 francs
- 1809-L 20 francs
- 1809-M 20 francs
- 1809-U 20 francs
- 1809-W 20 francs
- 1809-A 40 francs
- 1809-M 40 francs
- 1809-W 40 francs
- 1810-BB 5 francs
- 1810-D 5 francs
- 1810-I 5 francs
- Coins and currency dated 1809