France 1809-U 5 francs
This specimen was lot 43374 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it sold for $1,080. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. Empire. 5 Francs, 1809-U. Turin Mint. Napoleon I. PCGS VF-30. Sporting vibrant iridescence around some of the devices, this wholesome crown emanates from a fairly difficult emission, especially when encountered this pleasing state of preservation. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Leu in 1975 for $275). Ex: Bank Leu (10/1975) Lot # 311." 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. This one, from the Turin mint in Italy, is scarce. 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: 15,732.
Specifications: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, 37 mm diameter, lettered edge, designed by Pierre Joseph Tiolier (1763-1819).
Catalog reference: Dav-85; Sobin-58; KM-694.15; Gad-584; F.307/12.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- 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, August 2025 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Richard August Collection and the Richard Margolis Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
Link to:
- 1808-B 5 francs
- 1808-H 5 francs
- 1808-L 5 francs
- 1808-M 5 francs
- 1808-MA 5 francs
- 1809-A 10 centimes
- 1809-B 10 centimes
- 1809-T 10 centimes
- 1809-A ¼ franc
- 1809-A ½ franc
- 1809-D ½ franc
- 1809-U ½ franc
- 1809-B franc
- 1809-H 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-A 5 francs
- 1809-B 5 francs
- 1809-H 5 francs
- 1809-I 5 francs
- 1809-K 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-K 5 francs
- Coins and currency dated 1809