France 1996 500 francs Fr-709
This specimen was lot 74459 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2024), where it sold for $2,640. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. 500 Francs (75 Euros), 1996. Paris Mint. NGC PROOF-69 Ultra Cameo. Treasures of European Museums series: Michelangelo's David. Tied with just two other examples for the top spot in the NGC census, this nearly-flawless specimen radiates with immense flair." This denomination was used for numerous NCLT's in 1996, including KM 1128, 1129, 1130, 1131, 1141, 1141a, 1143, 1151 (shown here), 1152, 1153, 1154, 1157, 1157a, 1315 and 1316. The conversion between 500 francs and 75 euro was only theoretical. This design was used again in 1997.
Recorded mintage: 5,000 proofs.
Specification: 31.103 g, 0.999 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-709; KM-1151; Gad-37.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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