France L'AN 10-Q 5 francs
This specimen was lot 71209 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2025), where it sold for $168. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. Consulate. 5 Francs, Year 10-Q (1801/2). Perpignan Mint. PCGS VF-30. Though fairly well circulated, this crown exhibits some amber-cabernet hues along with remaining entirely wholesome. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Federal Brand Enterprises in 1967 for $7). Ex: Federal Brand Enterprises (11/1967) Lot # 2187." This specimen shown was struck at the Perpignan mint during the First Republic (1793-99) and was meant to replace the écu of the ancien régime after the execution of king Louis XVI. The Gregorian calendar was replaced by the revolutionary calendar. Year 10, shown here, comprised September 1801 thru September 1802. This "Hercules" type was struck until year 11 (1802-03) from numerous mints, tho only Paris is known for year 4. Le Franc[2] has reanalyzed the type, assigning it catalog numbers 287 thru 300, depending on the position of the obverse legend ("UNION ET FORCE"), the details of the oak wreath on the reverse and so forth. As each die was hand made, the varieties are as numerous as those of United States bust half dollars or early large cents. Overdates and repunched mintmarks and privy marks are common. The type was produced in the millions and is not rare in low grades but the price ascends rapidly with grade.
Recorded mintage: 133,598[2].
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, edge lettered GARANTIE NATIONALE, designed by Augustin Dupré (1748-1833).
Catalog reference: F.287/70, KM-639.8; Gad-563a, Dav-81.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [2]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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, including Selections from the Richard Margolis Collection and Selections from the L.E. Bruun Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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