France ANXI-A 40 francs
The first specimen was from CGB sale 24. This type was struck only in Paris during the years AN XI and AN 12. Common in circulated condition, it is difficult to find nice. The second specimen was lot 43326 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $48,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Possibly the Only Known Gilt Silver Year XI 40 Francs Pattern of Wielandy -- Cited & Illustrated in Gadoury and Théret & Taillard, FRANCE. Consulate. Gilt Silver 40 Francs Essai (Pattern), Year XI (1802/3). Geneva Mint. Napoléon as First Consul. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, Unc Details. Plain edge. By C. Wielandy. A colossal RARITY from the competition of Year XI, this stunning example may well stand as the only such specimen known, going unlisted in Mazard and serving as the plate coin for both Gadoury and T&T (Théret & Taillard). It is quite likely that, given the plain edge, this example was struck by Wielandy in Geneva before sending his dies to the Paris Mint for the competition. Regardless, a tremendous opportunity for a piece that no doubt eludes even the most advanced collections of the series. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Drouot on 21 November 1980). Ex: Drouot (11/1980) Lot # 450. Ex: Bourgey (6/1967) Lot # 263."
Recorded mintage: 226,115.
Specification: 12.90 g, 0.900 fine gold, 26 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. The second specimen gilt silver, 8.60 g.
Catalog reference: KM 652, F.536/1, Fr-479. The second specimen Maz-Unlisted; Gad-1079.(a) (this coin illustrated); T&T-1083.2 (this coin illustrated).
- 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, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies. Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2012.
- [1]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.
Link to:
- ANXI-A ½ franc
- An XI-A franc
- An XI-D franc
- An XI-G franc
- An XI-L franc
- An XI-MA franc
- An XI-Q franc
- An XI-W franc
- AN XI 5 francs, visit of Napoleon to the mint
- An XI-A 5 francs
- An XI-D 5 francs
- An XI-L 5 francs
- An XI-MA 5 francs
- An XI-T 5 francs
- An XI-A 20 francs
- An 12-A 40 francs
- Coins and currency dated 1802