France L'AN 8-A 5 decimes
The first specimen was lot 43305 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $2,040. The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE. Consulate. Silver 5 Décimes Essai (Pattern), Year 8-A (1799/1800). Paris Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-62. Fluted edge. Allegedly By P.-J. Lorthior. Fairly RARE and impressive, this type featuring a right-facing bust of Pallas-Athena dazzles with an abundance of brilliance and sports a pale gray-olive green hue throughout. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Glendining on 26 June 1970). Ex: Glendining (6/1970) Lot # 625."
The second specimen was lot 43306 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $1,320. The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE. Consulate. Silver 5 Décimes Essai (Pattern), Year 8-A (1799/1800). Paris Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-58. Fluted edge. By P.-J. Lorthior. Displaying the bust of Pallas-Athena with an addition of the French cock atop her helmet, this RARE pattern issue displays some very subtle friction and breaks of luster, hence the near-Mint designation. Nevertheless, pleasingly toned and wholly original. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Marcel Platt in Paris on 5 November 1964)."
We don't know if these designs ever had a serious chance of being adopted. The only denominations struck in year 8 were the five centimes, the décime and the five francs.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, the first specimen 3.94 g, the second specimen 3.63 g.
Catalog reference: the first specimen Maz-583a (R3), the second specimen Maz-584a (R3); Gad-392.(a).
- Guilloteau, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, Colonies 1670-1942 et Metropole 1774-1942, Versailles, 1942.
- [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.
Link to:
- France L'AN 4-A 2 decimes
- An 8-AA 5 centimes
- An 8-BB 5 centimes
- An 8-G 5 centimes
- An 8-W 5 centimes
- An 8-AA décime
- An 8-BB décime
- An 8-I décime
- AN 8-K décime
- An 8-W décime
- France L'AN 8-A 2 decimes pattern
- L'AN 8-A 5 francs
- L'AN 8-D 5 francs
- L'AN 8-K 5 francs
- L'AN 8-L 5 francs
- L'AN 8-Q 5 francs
- L'AN 8/5-T 5 francs
- L'AN 8-W 5 francs
- Coins and currency dated 1799