France 1849-K franc

Heritage sale 3029, lot 30515

This coin is an issue of the short-lived Second Republic of France (1848-52). It is known from three mints: Paris (mintmark "A", the vast majority), Bordeaux (mintmark "K", rare) and Strasbourg (mintmark "BB", scarce). The type is not difficult to find but is expensive in high grade. Oudiné's bust of Cérès was revived under the Third Republic and used on the franc 1871-95. All francs issued prior to 1859, including this one, were demonetized in 1869 to make way for the succeeding issue which was only 0.835 fine. This specimen was lot 30515 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $3,818.75. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Republic Franc 1849-K, MS65 NGC. A gorgeous coin with superb patina and incredibly sharp design features- almost Specimen quality in many respects. Very rare in this superior quality and certainly among the finest known." This specimen was sold again as lot 22307 in Heritage sale 61352 (Dallas, December 2023), where it sold for $1,500.

Specification: 23 mm diameter, 5 grams, 0.900 fine silver. Designed by Eugéne André Oudiné, 1810-1887.

Recorded Mintage: 19,296.

Catalog reference: F.211/3, KM 759.3.

Source:

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, 2013.
^[1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.

Link to:

France 1849-K franc

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