France 1823-K 2 francs
This specimen was lot 1843 in Jean Elsen sale 152 (Brussels, September 2022), where it sold for €130 (about US$157 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Louis XVIII, seconde restauration (1815-1824), AR 2 francs, 1823K, Bordeaux. 2545 p. frappées. Très rare. Beau. (kingdom of France, Louis XVIII, second restoration, 1815-24, silver two francs of 1823, Bordeaux mint, only 2,545 pieces struck. Very rare, Fine.)"
This type was struck during the reign of Louis XVIII (1815-24) from numerous mints. The specimen shown is from Bordeaux and Le Franc reports only two known to exist. 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: 2,539.
Specification: 10 g, 0.900 fine silver, 27 mm diameter, edge lettered DOMINE SALVUM FAC REGEM, designed by Pierre Joseph Tiolier.
Catalog reference: F.257/46, Gad-513.
- 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, 2013.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 152: Collection Ferdy Willems, Celtic coins, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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