France 1888-A 10 centimes
This specimen was lot 1205 in Sincona sale 90 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 140 CHF (about US$185 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANKREICH, 3. Republik, 1871-1940. 10 Centimes 1888/7 A, Paris. Jahreszahl im Stempel aus 1887 geändert. Gadoury 683. Dav-92. Selten in dieser Erhaltung. NGC MS65 RB. (France, third republic, 1871-1940, ten centimes of 1888, Paris mint, 1888/7 overdate. Rare in this condition, gem uncirculated.)"
This "Cérès head" type was struck under the Third Republic 1870-98. The majority, including this one, are Paris mint issues but Bordeaux produced this type 1871-78. There are 45 dates in the series, some expensive but only the 1897-A with the fasces privy mark is rare. The total production for the series is about fifty million, compared to 258 million Napoleon III "bare head" ten centimes (1852-57) and 52 million "laureate head" 10 centimes (1861-65). The Cérès head was replaced by the "Marianne" head designed by Daniel-Dupuis (struck 1898-1921). All the bronze ten centimes pieces were demonetized in 1935.
Recorded mintage: 1,050,000.
Specification: 10 g, bronze, 30 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by Eugéne-André Oudiné (1810-1887).
Catalog reference: KM 815.1, F.135/33.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 90, Münzen und Medaillen der Welt, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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