France L'AN 11-MA 5 francs
This specimen was lot 1297 in Jean Elsen sale 108 (Brussels, March 2011) where it sold for 110 euros (about US$181 including buyer's fee). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, Consulat (1799-1804), AR 5 francs, an 11 MA, Marseille. Union et Force. Très bien conservé" (France, Consulate, 1799-1804, silver five francs, year 11, Marseilles mint, "Union and Force" type. Very Good.)
This specimen shown was struck during the Consulate (1799-1804) 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 11, shown here, comprised September 1802 thru September 1803. 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: 160,368 (all varieties; priced about double the common date).
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, edge lettered GARANTIE NATIONALE, designed by Augustin Dupré (1748-1833).
Catalog reference: Dav-81, Gad.-543a; F.288/69 (rare), F.300/14 (scarce).
- [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc VIII: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2009.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 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.
- George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 108, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2011.
Link to:
- L'AN 10-A 5 francs
- L'AN 10-G 5 francs
- L'AN 10-K 5 francs
- L'AN 10-L 5 francs
- L'AN 10-MA 5 francs
- L'AN 10-Q 5 francs
- An XI-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
- L'AN 11-A 5 francs
- L'AN 11-K 5 francs
- L'AN 11-L 5 francs
- L'AN 11-Q 5 francs
- An XI 5 francs, visit of Napoleon to the mint
- An XI-A 5 francs
- An XI-D 5 francs
- Coins and currency dated 1802