France L'AN5-BB decime
This specimen is lot 917 in Jean Elsen sale 103 (Brussels, December 2009), where it sold for 500 euro. The catalog description[2] noted,
"FRANCE, Directoire (1795-1799), Cu 1 décime, an 5 BB, Strasbourg. Avec brillant de frappe. Très rare dans cette qualité. Superbe à Fleur de Coin" (France, Directory (1795-99), copper one décime, An 5-BB, Strasbourg mint, with mint luster. Very rare in this quality, Extremely Fine to Uncirculated).
This type was struck An 5 to An 9 (1796-1801) in large quantities (Le Franc[1] estimates nearly 98 million for the series) but is very rare in nice condition. Many were hurriedly struck on bad planchets and saw long and heavy wear; collectors of the day scorned copper coinage and few were saved. This date is worth about double the common date, An 7-BB.
Recorded mintage: 343,003.
Specification: 20 g, bronze, 32 mm diameter, decorated edge, designed by Augustin Dupré.
Catalog reference: F.129/4, Gadoury 187, KM 644.4.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, Vente Publique 103, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, s.a, 2009.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- Guilloteau, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, Colonies 1670-1942 et Metropole 1774-1942, Versailles, 1942.
- [1]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
Link to:
- France L'AN 5 centime pattern
- L'AN 5-A large 5 centimes
- L'AN 5-BB large 5 centimes, restruck over un décime
- L'AN 5-I small 5 centimes
- L'AN 5-I large 5 centimes
- L'AN 5-R large 5 centimes
- L'AN 5-W large 5 centimes
- AN 5-A décime
- AN 5-B décime
- AN 5-D décime
- AN 5-I décime
- AN 5-W décime
- L'AN 5-A 5 francs
- L'AN 5-BB 5 francs
- L'AN 5-K 5 francs
- L'AN 5-Q 5 francs
- L'AN 5-T 5 francs
- AN 7-BB décime
- Coins and currency dated 1796