France 1993 500 francs Fr-634
This specimen was lot 31064 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $3,120. The catalog description[1] noted, "France: Republic gold Proof "Louvre Bicentennial - Mona Lisa" 500 Francs 1993 PR69 Ultra Cameo NGC, Paris mint. Jet-black fields pronounce the Louvre's most famous sitter on this bicentennial commemorative issue. Accompanied by original Monnaie de Paris COA. From the Paramount Collection." Starting in the 1980's, the Paris mint issued so many NCLT's that the standard catalogs had to drop them to keep the books a manageable size. This one was struck to honor the Louvre's most famous exhibit. A five ounce version of this design also exists (KM 1027).
Recorded mintage: 5,000.
Specification: 31.10 g, 0.999 fine gold, AGW 0.999 oz.
Catalog reference: KM 1024, Fr-634.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, The Paramount Collection World & Ancient Coins: Signature Auction 3096, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
Link to:
- 1992 500 francs, Jean Monnet, platinum
- 1993 10 centimes
- 1993 2 francs, Jean Moulin
- 1993 5 francs, La Semeuse
- 1993 20 francs, Mediterranean Games
- 1993 100 francs, bicentennial of the Louvre Museum, the coronation of Napoleon
- 1993 gold 500 francs, Arc de Triomphe
- 1993 500 francs, Venus de Milo
- 1994 gold 500 francs, Élysée Treaty
- 1994 500 francs, Audrey Hepburn
- Coins and currency dated 1993