France 1896-A 100 francs
This specimen was lot 29752 in Heritage sale 3040 (Chicago, April 2015), where it sold for $23,500. The catalog description[1] noted, "Republic gold 100 Francs 1896-A MS64 NGC, Paris mint. Mintage: 400. Very close to a full Gem, this coin showcases smooth, semi-prooflike fields that immediately capture the eye. Prolonged inspection confirms sharp detail throughout, with light toning accents here and there. A couple trivial ticks, one on the genius' hip, as well as one on the constitution, very likely prevented the next grade. While this rare date is offered rather infrequently, we were fortunate enough to sell another NGC MS64 (the only other MS64 graded by NGC) in our 2014 ANA auction that brought $34,075. Given the comparable, if not superior appearance of the present coin, we can only anticipate similar interest for this awesome French rarity. From The Baron Collection." This type was struck 1878-1906. In 1907, the edge lettering was changed to read LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE. The mintage of all gold coinage was suspended in 1914. Of the three types of large gold hundred francs, 346,000 were struck of Napoleon III "bare head," 97,000 were struck of Napoleon III "laureate head," and 274,000 were struck of the "génie." Most survivors are bagmarked AU.
Recorded mintage: 400[2] (a scarce date).
Specification: 32.26 g, 0.900 fine gold, 35 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE, designed by Albert-Desiré Barré (1818-78), this specimen 32.23 g.
Catalog reference: KM832, Gadoury 1137. Schl. 408. Fr-590, F.552/10.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- 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 Signature Auction 3040, featuring the Santa Maria, the Alan Dean and the Valley View Life Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2015.
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