Lucca 1808/7 5 franchi Dav-203
This specimen was lot 1527 in Jean Elsen sale 135 (Brussels, December 2017), where it sold for €250 (about US$346 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
" ITALIE, LUCQUES et PIOMBINO, Elisa et Félix (1805-1814), AR 5 franchi, 1808 (sur 1807). Grands bustes. Belle patine. Très Beau. (principality of Lucca and Piombino, Elisa and Felix, 1805-14, silver five franchi of 1808/7, large busts. Nice toning, Very Fine.)"
This five franchi was struck in the principality of Lucca while it was ruled by Elisa Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon. The type was struck 1805-08, whereupon the tiny state was annexed to Napoleon's empire. After his fall, the principality was given to a relative of the king of Naples, then attached to Tuscany in 1847. It is now part of Italy.
Recorded mintage: 174,960 (all varieties).
Specification: 24.84 grams, 0.900 fine silver, .718 troy oz ASW, 37 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: M. 438; G. 4b, KM 24.2, Dav-203.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Gigante, Fabio, Gigante 2016: Catalogo Nazionale delle Monete Italiano Dal '700 All'Euro, 24a ed. Varese, Italy, 2015.
- Montenegro, Eupremio, Montenegro 2015: Manuale del Collezionista di Monete Italiane, 30 ed., Torino, Italy: Montenegro s.a.s., 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 135, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2017.
Link to: