France 1974 1/2 franc
This type was struck for France at the Paris mint 1964-2001. Some of the later dates after 1978 are only available from FDC sets. The original Roty design, called La Semeuse, appeared on half, one and two francs of 1898-1920. This specimen was part of lot 42201 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $19,200. The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE. Gold Piefort Proof Set (10 Pieces), 1974-79. Paris Mint. All NGC Certified. A complete denominational set of gold Piefort issues, including every denomination issued in 1974 as well as a single 1979 2 Francs (as none were issued in 1974). These Piefort issues are elusive and relatively low mintage, with some in the double digits, and as such this presents a RARE opportunity to acquire a complete set. 6) Gold 1/2 Franc Piefort, 1974. NGC PROOF-68."
Recorded mintage: 37,170,800 plus 91 in gold.
Specification: 4.5 g, nickel, 19.5 mm diameter, after a design by Oscar Roty (1846-1911).
Catalog reference: F.198/13, KM 931.1, KM-P499 (struck in gold); GEM-91.P3.
- 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.
- Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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