France 1844-W 20 francs
This specimen was lot 30385 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2022), where it sold for $5,760. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. 20 Francs, 1844-W. Lille Mint. Louis Philippe I. NGC MS-64+. The finest by far of five examples seen at NGC for the date and mint, this enthralling near-Gem radiates with exceptional lustrous brilliance and exquisite surface quality. Undoubtedly a superlative specimen that should generate great enthusiasm." This type, struck 1832-48, was recalled in 1928 and demonetized in 2005 but ceased to circulate in France during World War One. It superseded the Tiolier head used 1830-31 (F.524 and F.525). Branch mint issues include Rouen (mintmark "B"), Lille (mintmark "W") and Bayonne (mintmark "L"). This is an issue of the Lille mint which closed in 1846. The Lille mint reopened 1853-57 to strike bronze coinage.
Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold, 21 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE, designed by Joseph François Domard (1792-1858).
Recorded Mintage: 34,168[1] (priced about 66% more than the most common date).
Catalog reference: F.527/32, Fr-562; KM-750.5; Gad-1031.
- 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.
- [1]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 ANA Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring The Salton Collection Part III and the Robert C. Knepper Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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