France 1837-W 5 francs
The silver five francs of Louis Philippe (1830-48) were issued in massive quantities from numerous mints. Le Franc[2] estimates a total of 335 million were made, counting all sub-types. This issue, from the Lille mint, is common. A complete set of this sub-type (1832-43) comprises 102 date and mintmark combinations, some very rare. 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. This specimen was lot 72227 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Santa Ana, CA, May 2017), where it sold for $352.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. 5 Francs, 1837-W. NGC MS-61. Sharply struck with bright flashy luster."
Specification: 37 mm diameter, 25 grams, 0.900 fine silver, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. Designed by Joseph François Domard, 1792-1858.
Recorded Mintage: 6,650,054[2].
Catalog reference: Dav-91; F.324/68, KM 749.13.
- 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.
- [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies. Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
- [1]Ponterio, Rick, et al., The May 2017 Collector's Choice Sale, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2017.
- George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
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