French Guiana 1887 5 francs
This specimen was lot 44389 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $4,320. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRENCH GUIANA. Silver 5 Francs Essai, 1887. Paris Mint. NGC MS-61. A fascinating and engaging Fantasy Essai issue of French Guiana, RARE in this denomination and with only a handful of appearances in auction records over the past few decades. This type was potentially struck after the date noted, based on the heavy die rust present. Deep gunmetal patina pervades the fields, with a touch of golden toning about the peripheries." This privately designed pattern or fantasy was struck in silver and white metal. The "REPUBLIQUE DE LA GUYANNE INDEPENDANTE" never existed and French Guiana is today still part of France. It was accompanied by 10 centimes in bronze and 20 centimes in copper-nickel.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM-XE3; VG-4064; Lec-36.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- Gadoury, Victor, and George Cousinié, Monnaies Coloniales Françaises, 1670-1988, 2me Éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 1988.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The August 2021 ANA sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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