France 1813-I 2 francs

from Jean Elsen sale 134, lot 1764

This specimen was lot 1764 in Jean Elsen sale 134 (Brussels, September 2017), where it did not sell. The catalog description^[2] noted,

"FRANCE, Napoléon Ier (1804-1814), AR 2 francs, 1813I, Limoges. Nettoyé. Légères traces d'ajustage au revers. Très Beau à Superbe. (empire of France, Napoleon I, 1804-14, silver two francs of 1813, Limoges mint. Cleaned, traces of adjustment marks on the reverse. Very fine to extremely fine.)"

This type was struck 1809-14 during the reign of Napoleon I from numerous mints. The specimen shown is from Limoges and is a somewhat better date. It is priced^[1] about 80% more than the commonest date (1811-A). Many issues of this type are known from a handful (<10) of examples. The type is not difficult to find but is expensive in high grade. All two francs issued prior to 1859, including this one, were demonetized in 1869 to make way for the succeeding issue which was only 0.835 fine.

Recorded mintage: 98,202^[1].

Specification: 27 mm diameter, 10 grams, 0.900 fine silver, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. Designed by Pierre Joseph Tiolier, 1763-1819.

Catalog reference: F.255/57, KM 693.6, Gad-501.

Source:

Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
^[1]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.
^[2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 134, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2017..

Link to:

France 1813-I 2 francs

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