France 1849-K 5 francs

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This type is commonly called the "Hercules" and was struck 1848-49 at Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and Strasbourg during the French Second Republic. It is common in circulated condition. The "Cérès head" was also struck in 1849 but not at Bordeaux. It was officially withdrawn from circulation in 1928 and demonetized in 2005 but ceased to circulate after World War One.

Recorded mintage: 470,493, a scarce date.

Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .7234 troy oz AGW, 37 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE, after a design by Augustin Dupré (1748-1833).

Catalog reference: F.326/7, Dav-92; KM-756.3; Gad-683.

Source:

• 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.
• Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
• George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.

Link to:

• 1848-A 5 francs, Louis Philippe
• 1848-A 5 francs, Hercules
• 1849-A 20 centimes
• 1849-A 50 centimes
• 1849-A franc
• 1849-K franc
• 1849-A 2 francs
• 1849-BB 2 francs
• 1849-A 5 francs, Hercules
• 1849-A 5 francs, Cérès head
• 1849-BB 5 francs, Hercules
• 1849-BB 5 francs, Cérès head
• 1849-A 20 francs, Genie obverse
• 1849-A 20 francs, Cérès head
• 1850-A 5 francs
• 1850-K 5 francs
• Coins and currency dated 1849