France 1847-K 5 francs
This specimen was lot 1071 in Jean Elsen sale 137 (Brussels, June 2018), where it sold for €200 (about US$278 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Louis-Philippe (1830-1848), AR 5 francs, 1847K, Bordeaux. Rare Fines griffes. Superbe. (kingdom of France, Louis Philippe, 1830-48, silver five francs of 1847, Bordeaux mint. Rare, fine scratches, extremely fine.)"
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 Bordeaux mint, is rare. A complete set of this sub-type (1844-48) comprises 19 date and mintmark combinations, some rather scarce. 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: 166,842[2], the scarcest date of 1844-48.
Specification: 37 mm diameter, 25 grams, 0.900 fine silver, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. Designed by Nicolas-Pierre Tiolier.
Catalog reference: Dav-91; F.325/16, Gadoury 678a, KM 749.4.
- [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- 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.
- George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 137, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2018.
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