France AN14-W 20 francs
This specimen was lot 34034 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2025), where it sold for $6,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "Wholly Original Lille Mint 20 Francs, FRANCE. Empire. 20 Francs, Year 14-W (1805/6). Lille Mint. Napoleon I. PCGS AU-50. Though a precise mintage figure is not known, it is clear that this specimen no doubt emanates from a VERY RARE emission that is incredibly important for the series. Surpassed in the PCGS census by just two others, this wholesome survivor yields alluring pale yellow surfaces and a good deal of elegant brilliance residing among the protected areas. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Kagin's in 1978 for $290). Ex: Kagin's (10/1978) Lot # 1237." The French empire produced large quantities of gold coins, made from metal looted from countries Napoleon conquered. However, gold coins of the French branch mints are very scarce as a class and have long been underpriced, mostly because the few survivors are in poor condition. This product of the Lille mint is rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold, 21 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE, designed by Pierre-Joseph Tiolier and Jean-Pierre Droz.
Catalog reference: Fr-491; KM-663.6; Gad-1022; F.512/9.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2025 NYINC Showcase Auction, featuring the Richard Margolis Collection, Part III, and the Richard August Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
Links to:
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- Coins and currency dated 1805