France 1827-A 5 francs
This specimen was lot 20469 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Philadelphia, August 2018), where it sold for $1,440. The catalog description[2] noted, "FRANCE. 5 Franc, 1827-A. Paris Mint. NGC MS-65. Enviable quality for this first date of the second Charles X type with designs that are as bold as we've seen and fields that display dazzling qualities on the obverse and integrate subtle prooflike characteristics on the reverse. Eye catching russet tone surrounds portions of the raised surfaces and serves to embolden the overall appearance. RARE condition, presently unmatched in grade at NGC or PCGS." This type was struck during the reign of Charles X of France (1824-30) from numerous mints. The silver five francs of this regime are divided into two types, most easily distinguished by the position of MICHAUD's name near the base of the king's bust. The specimen shown is the second type and is a common date from the Paris mint. Many the 52 dates of this type are known from a handful (<10) of examples. The type is not difficult to find but is expensive in high grade.
Specification: 37 mm diameter, 25 grams, 0.900 fine silver, edge lettered DOMINE SALVUM FAC REGEM. Designed by Auguste François Michaut, 1786-1879.
Recorded Mintage: 6,819,923[1], a common date.
Catalog reference: F.311/1, KM-728.1; Gad-644, Dav-88.
- 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]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio and Chris Chatigny, The August 2018 Philadelphia ANA Auction: World Coins and Selections from the El Dorado Collection of Colombian Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
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