France L'AN 10-G 5 francs
This specimen was lot 2445 in Sincona sale 6 (Zürich, May 2012), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ, Sammlung Dr. Charles Froidevaux Genf 5 Francs l‘an 10. Wertangabe und Jahresbezeichnung in einem Eichen- und Lorbeerkranz, REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE, unten G. Rv. Herkulesgruppe zwischen Münzzeichen, unten im Abschnitt Dupré. Randschrift. Von grosser Seltenheit. Fast sehr schön. (Switzerland, Geneva, five francs of the year 10. Obverse: denomination and date in oak and laurel wreath, reverse: Hercules between privy marks, signature below. Of the highest rarity, good very fine.)"
This type was struck during the years 4-11 (1795-1804 in the conventional calendar) with this being one of the rarest issues. The auctioneer catalogued this coin as Swiss, with some reason as it was struck in Geneva during the French occupation, but it is unequivocally a French coin. The Geneva mint struck French coins until year 13 (1805) but the issues are all rare today.
Recorded mintage: 4,447.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver; this specimen is 23.72 g.
Catalog reference: Dav-81, F.288/66, Dem.- . D.T. 260b, HMZ 2-352b, KM 639.4.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- 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, 2014.
- George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
- [1]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 6, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2012.
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