France 1996 500 francs Fr-700a
This specimen was lot 31067 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $3,240. The catalog description[1] noted, "France: Republic gold Proof "Rodin - The Thinker" 500 Francs 1996 PR69 Ultra Cameo NGC, Paris mint. Museum Treasures series. Bordering perfection, this representative displays nearly flawless, jet-black fields that highlight the subject of the issue, Rodin's infamous sculpture, "The Thinker." Accompanied by a 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 Rodin's statue and is also denominated 75 euro. A five ounce version of this design also exists (KM 1129).
Recorded mintage: 5,000.
Specification: 31.10 g, 0.999 fine gold, AGW 0.999 oz.
Catalog reference: KM 1128, Fr-700a.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- [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:
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