France 1979 2 francs
The first specimen was lot 1482 in Sincona sale 11 (Zürich, May 2013), where it sold for 1,850 CHF (about US$2,290 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANKREICH 5. Republik, 1959-. 2 Francs 1979. GOLD. Selten, nur 600 Exemplare geprägt. FDC aus Polierter Platte. (France, fifth republic (since 1959), gold two francs of 1979. Rare, proof.)"
The regular issue nickel two francs was minted 1978-2001 and is not rare tho many dates were struck only for sale to collectors. The first specimen shown is an off-metal strike in gold for presentation. The third specimen was part of lot 42201 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $19,200. The catalog description[3] 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. 4) Gold 2 Francs Piefort, 1979. NGC PROOF-66."
Recorded mintage: 130,040,511[2] regular issue plus 1,250 in silver and 600 in gold.
Specification: 7.5 g, nickel, 26.5 mm diameter, reeded edge (regular issue). The first specimen is 30.84 g.
Catalog reference: F.272/3, KM 942.1 (nickel), KM P642 (gold), Gadoury 546P.
- 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.
- [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
- [1]Numismatic Coins, Medals & Banknotes, Auction 11, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2013.
- [3]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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