France 1842-W 5 francs
This specimen was lot 1600 in Jean Elsen sale 156 (Brussels, September 2023), where it sold for €190 (about US$244 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Louis-Philippe (1830-1848), AR 5 francs, 1842 W, Lille. Fines griffes. Avec brillant de frappe. Superbe à Fleur de Coin. (kingdom of France, Louis Philippe, 1830-48, silver five francs of 1842, Lille mint. Fine scratches, mint luster, Extremely Fine - Uncirculated.)"
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 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.
Recorded mintage: 5,416,992, a common date.
Specification: 37 mm diameter, 25 grams, 0.900 fine silver, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. Designed by Joseph François Domard, 1792-1858.
Catalog reference: Dav-91; Gad-678, F.324/100, KM 749.7.
- 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.
- Raymond, Wayte, The Silver Ecus of France, 1642-1936, The Coin Collector Series, Number Three, New York: Wayte Raymond Inc., 1940.
- George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 156, Collection de Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.
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