France 1851-A 5 francs
The first specimen was lot 22505 in Heritage sale 3010 (Boston, August 2010), where it sold for $172.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "Second Republic 5 Francs 1851-A, AU-UNC, bright white example with some minor surface abrasions, yet strong original luster. Ceres Head, Paris mint." This type is commonly called the "Cérès head" and was struck 1849-51 at Paris, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. It is common in circulated condition. It was officially withdrawn from circulation in 1928 and demonetized in 2005 but ceased to circulate after World War One.
Recorded mintage: 13,142,644 (common date).
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .7234 troy oz AGW, 37 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE, designed by Eugene-André Oudiné (1810-87).
Catalog reference: F.327/7, Dav-93; Gad-719; KM-761.1.
- 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.
- [1]Tucker, Warren, Scott Cordry and John Kraljevich, Heritage Sale 3010: World Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2010.
- George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
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