Guadeloupe 1903 franc
The official coinage of Guadeloupe during the twentieth century is limited to two types; this one franc and a matching copper-nickel fifty centimes (KM 45). Both were issued in 1903 and 1921 and are scarce, especially in nice condition. These are technically tokens, "good for one franc," but they were struck at the Paris mint and issued by the colonial authorities. There is an extensive issue of notes for the French Antilles which were valid on the island. This specimen was lot 31107 in Heritage sale 3064 (Chicago, April 2018), where it sold for $780. The catalog description[1] noted, "French Colony Franc 1903 MS65 NGC. Brilliant silvery luster with boldly defined devices. No significant flaws are noted and this is one of the finer examples we have seen of the first-year issue."
Recorded mintage: 700,000.
Specification: copper-nickel, 20 sided, plain edge, designed by A. Patey.
Catalog reference: KM 46, Lec-57.
- Byrne, Ray, Coins and Tokens of the Caribees, Decatur, IL: Jess Peters, Inc., 1975.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach and Warren Tucker, Heritage World Coin Auction 3064, featuring the Doug Robins Collection of Canadian Tokens, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
Link to:
- 1903 50 centimes
- 1921 50 centimes
- 1921 franc
- Coins and currency dated 1903
- return to coins of Guadeloupe