France 1933 100 francs
This specimen was lot 2025 in Jean Elsen sale 160 (Brussels, November 2024), where it sold for €5,250 (about US$6,647 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Troisième République (1871-1940), AV 100 francs, 1933. Type Bazor. Tranche inscrite en relief. Seulement 300 p. frappées. Extrêmement rare. Fine griffe. Petites taches. Avec brillant de frappe. Superbe à Fleur de Coin. (France, Third Republic, 1871-1940. gold hundred francs of 1933, Bazor type, raised edge lettering, only 300 pieces struck. Extremely rare, fine scratch, minor stains, with mint luster. Extremely fine to uncirculated.)"
This coin is a prototype for a projected reintroduction of gold coinage after the devaluation of the franc by Poincaré in the late twenties. In 1935-36 thirteen million were minted but a further drop in the value of the franc prevented their general release and the type is scarce today.
Recorded mintage: 300[2].
Specification: 6.55 g, 0.900 fine gold, 21 mm diameter, lettered edge. It was designed by Lucien Bazor.
Catalog reference: F.554/4, KM 880, Gad-1148; Fr-598.
- 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.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 160, Collection de deniers liegeois et Collection de monnaies d'or francaises, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
- [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies. Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
Link to: