France L'AN 3 25 centimes
The first specimen was lot 43212 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $960. The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE. National Convention. Copper 25 Centimes Essai (Pattern), Year 3 (1794/5). Paris Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-63 Brown. Plain edge. By A. Dupré. Displaying some hints of red sprinkled about, this mostly brown specimen radiates with a high degree of enchanting luster in the fields. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Émile Bourgey on 7 June 1957)."
The second specimen was lot 43213 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $1,140. The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE. National Convention. Tin 25 Centimes Essai (Pattern), Year 3 (1794/5). Paris Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-63. Plain edge. By A. Dupré. Quite well struck and vibrant, this off-metal variant glistens with immense eye appeal and stands as a RARITY for the type. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from the Farouk Collection in March 1954). Ex: Palace Collections of Egypt [King Farouk] (Sotheby's - 3/1954) Lot # 2175 (part of)."
This is from a series of patterns made as the republican regime wrangled over what the new decimal coinage should look like. Other patterns, such as VG-435, replaced "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE·" with "LIBERTE EGALITE". Eventually, in 1795, the Directory issued one and five centimes and one decime in copper, never a 25 centimes. The first quart franc appeared in year 12 with Bonaparte's portrait.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper, 24 mm diameter, the first specimen 4.93 g, the second specimen tin, 4.65 g.
Catalog reference: Maz-356 (R2); Gad-341a.(b), VG-437.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [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.
- 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.
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