France 2005 1-1/2 euro KM-2027
This specimen was part of lot 31479 in Heritage sale 3076 (Long Beach, CA, September 2019), which sold for $810. The catalog description[1] noted, "France. Republic 2-Piece Uncertified gold & silver "Frédéric Chopin" Euro Proof Set 2005, 1) 1-1/2 Euros; 2) 20 Euros. Each coin is sold encapsulated in its original blue case of issue with COA included. The silver 1-1/2 Euros is #643/3,000, the gold 20 Euros #19/500." The treaty which established the euro in 1999 gave specifications for the one cent thru two euro coins which are legal tender throughout the European Union. Higher denominations are not legal tender and each country is free to issue commemoratives as it sees fit, a right the Paris mint has ruthlessly exploited. This one honors Polish composer Frédéric Chopin (1810-49) and was accompanied by a gold twenty euro (Fr-788).
Recorded mintage: 3,000.
Specification: 22.20 g, 0.900 fine silver, 37 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 2027.
- 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, 2001-Date, 13th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2018.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3076, featuring the Allen Moretti Swiss Collection and the James Mossman Collection of Canadian Coinage, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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