Westphalia 1808-J 1/2 frank
This specimen was lot 71055 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2022), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Westphalia. 1/2 Frank, 1808-J. Paris Mint. Hieronymus (Jerome) Napoleon. PCGS MS-64. Surpassed in the PCGS census by just one example, this Napoleonic-related minor from the brief Kingdom of Westphalia presents a rather deep cabinet tone that intensifies as one reaches the peripheries. Quite SCARCE and exceptionally engaging to the eye." This type was struck in Hamburg 1808 only, as part of a series of decimal coinage that ranged from one centime to 40 franken. At the same time, traditional German denominations such as pfennig, mariengroschen and thalers were issued. At the Congress of Vienna, the area was restored to its former lords, Hannover and Prussia.
Recorded mintage: unknown but scarce.
Specification: 2.50 g, 0.900 fine silver, 18 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 98.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The June 2022 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients & World Coins - Featuring Selections from the Kings Norton Mint Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
Link to: