France 1871-A 5 francs

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Heritage sale 3024, lot 23904
trident privy mark
Jean Elsen sale 164, lot 1917
bee privy mark

The first specimen was lot 23904 in Heritage sale 3024 (Chicago, April 2013), where it sold for $881.25. The catalog description[1] noted, "Republic 5 Francs 1871-A Trident, MS61 NGC, lightly toned with considerable mint luster, noticeable contact marks in the exposed fields. Very scarce type with the Trident symbol, issued by the Commune." A complete set of this type comprises 24 date and mintmark combinations. The entire production run, 1871-78, totaled about 73 million pieces. Only two mints struck this type: Paris ("A") and Bordeaux ("K"). This date with the trident is scarce but not rare, being struck by the Paris Commune which briefly seized control of the capital during the Franco-Prussian War. It was demonetized in 2005 but ceased to circulate in the 1920's. The second specimen was lot 1917 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €95 (about US$132 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[3] noted,

"FRANCE, Gouvernement de Défense Nationale (1870-1871), AR 5 francs, 1871 A, Paris. Type Hercule. Petit coup sur la tranche. presque Très Beau. (France, government of National Defense, 1807-71, silver five francs of 1871, Paris mint, Hercules type. Minor edge nick, about Very Fine.)"

Recorded mintage: 237,906 (bee privy mark) plus 256,410 (trident privy mark)[2].

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: KM-823; Gad 745 (bee), Gad-745A (trident), F.334/2 (bee), F.334/3 (trident), Dav-92.

Source:

  • 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.
  • [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies. Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
  • [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3024, featuring the Kairos and Elizabeth McPhall Charters Collections, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
  • George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
  • [3]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.

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