France 1897-A 10 centimes
This specimen was lot 74576 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2022), where it sold for $80. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. 10 Centimes, 1897-A. Paris Mint. NGC MS-65 Brown. Blazing sapphire-magenta jockeys with bright pinkish-red hugging the devices. One is immediately compelled to dip the coin into light and admire the dynamic conflagration of color. Supplemented with exceptional Gem surface quality and ample stain luster, the present coin is a bold demonstration of the power Brown coins can, on rare occasion, bring to bear." This type was struck 1870-98. The 1897 with the torch privy mark is common while the fasces privy mark is very rare (three known[2]). The Cérès head was replaced by the "Marianne" head designed by Daniel-Dupuis (struck 1898-1920).
Recorded mintage: 7,250,000 (both privy marks).
Specification: 10 g, bronze, 30 mm diameter, plain edge, designed by Eugéne-André Oudiné (1810-1887).
Catalog reference: F.135/44 (torch privy mark) and F.135/43 (fasces privy mark). KM-815.1; Gad-265A.
- 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.
- [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The November 2022 Collectors Choice Ancient & World Coins Auction, Featuring the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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