France 2004 50 euro KM-1394

Sincona sale 83, lot 2859

This specimen was lot 2859 in Sincona sale 83 (Zurich, May 2023), where it sold for 1,650 CHF (about US$2,208 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted, "FRANKREICH, 5. Republik, seit 1959. 50 Euro 2004, Paris. Europa. 31.1 g Feingold. Nur 2'000 Exemplare geprägt. Polierte Platte. Im Originaletui mit Zertifikat (France, Fifth Republic, since 1959, Only 2,000 pieces struck, Choice Proof, In original box with certificate)." The treaty which established the euro in 1999 gave specifications for the one cent thru two euro coins which are legal tender throughout the European Union. Higher denominations are not legal tender and each country is free to issue commemoratives as it sees fit, a right the Paris mint has ruthlessly exploited. This one ounce gold coin honors the expansion of the EU. Another fifty euro (KM 1368) also exists for 2004.

Recorded mintage: 618.

Specification: 31.10 g, 0.999 fine gold, 37 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 1394, Gadoury EU100, Fr-B3.

Source:

• 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, 2001-Date, 13th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2018.
• ^[1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 83, World and Swiss Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2023.

Link to:

• 2003 50 euro, Europa
• 2004 cent
• 2004 10 euro, Europa
• 2004 20 euro, papal palace in Avignon
• 2004 20 euro, 60th anniversary of the Normandy invasion
• 2004 20 euro, la Semeuse
• 2004 20 euro, Europa
• 2004 20 euro, centennial of the "Entente Cordiale"
• 2004 100 euro, Europa
• 2004 100 euro, coronation of Napoleon
• 2005 10 euro, fiftieth anniversary of the European flag
• 2005 20 euro, Frédéric Chopin
• Coins and currency dated 2004