France 1907 franc
This specimen is a better date of a series struck 1898-1920 during the Third Republic. This type, known as "La Semeuse," superseded the "Cérès head" design of 1870-95. It was officially withdrawn from circulation in 1928 and demonetized in 2005 but ceased to circulate after World War One. All were struck at the Paris mint except for a few struck at Castelsarrasin in 1914. "La Semeuse" also appeared on contemporary fifty centimes and two franc coins; she was so popular than she was revived for the coinage of the Fifth Republic (1959-99). This specimen was lot 1610 in Jean Elsen sale 116 (Brussels, March 2013), where it sold for €120 (about US$182 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Troisième République (1871-1940), 1 franc, 1907, presque Fleur de Coin (France, Third Republic (1870-1940), silver franc of 1907, Semeuse type. about Uncirculated.)"
Recorded mintage: 2,562,745[2].
Specification: 5 g, 0.835 fine silver, 23 mm diameter, reeded edge, designed by Louis Oscar Roty (1846-1911).
Catalog reference: F.217/12, KM 844.1, Gad-467.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 116, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2013.
Link to: