France 1845-A 20 francs
This specimen was lot 1906 in Jean Elsen sale 160 (Brussels, November 2024), where it sold for €8,000 (about US$10,128 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Louis-Philippe (1830-1848), AV 20 francs, 1845 A, Paris. Seulement 939 p. frappées. Extrêmement rare. Petit coup sur la tranche. Avec brillant de frappe. Très Beau à Superbe. (kingdom of France, Louis Philippe, 1830-48, gold twenty francs of 1845, Paris mint, only 939 pieces struck. Extremely rare, small rim nick, with mint luster, very fine to extremely fine.)"
This type, struck 1832-48, was recalled in 1928 and demonetized in 2005 but ceased to circulate 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 It superseded the Tiolier head used 1830-31 (F.524 and F.525).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 date is rare.
Recorded mintage: 927[2].
Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold, 21 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE, designed by Joseph François Domard (1792-1858).
Catalog reference: F.527/33, KM-750.1; Gad-1031; Fr-560.
- 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.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 160, Collection de deniers liegeois et Collection de monnaies d'or francaises, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
- [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies. Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
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