France 1860-A 5 francs

Jean Elsen sale 160, lot 1942

This specimen was lot 1942 in Jean Elsen sale 160 (Brussels, November 2024), where it sold for €120 (about US$152 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"FRANCE, Napoléon III (1852-1870), AV 5 francs, 1860 A, Paris. Différent: abeille. Beau à Très Beau. (empire of France, Napoleon III, gold five francs of 1860, Paris mint, bee privy mark. Fine to very fine.)"

This denomination was introduced in 1854 at 14 mm diameter and a plain edge. Later in 1854, the design was revised to add a reeded edge and in 1855 the diameter was increased to 17 mm. Gold five francs were struck until 1868. This date has four varieties: 1860/50 overdate and 1860 regular date and hand and bee privy marks. All are common.

Recorded mintage: F.501/8 (1860/50 overdate) + F.501/9 (1860 regular date): 3,556,273 (hand privy mark) + F.501/10, m. 1,157,974 (bee privy mark)^[2].

Specification: 1.63 g, 0.900 fine gold, 16.7 mm diameter, reeded edge.

Catalog reference: F.501/10, KM-787.1; Gad-1001; Fr-578a.

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, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 160, Collection de deniers liegeois et Collection de monnaies d'or francaises, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
• ^[2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies. Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.

Link to:

• 1859-A silver 5 francs
• 1859-A gold 5 francs
• 1859-BB gold 5 francs
• 1860-A 20 centimes
• 1860-A 50 centimes
• 1860-A franc
• 1860-BB franc
• 1860-A 10 francs
• 1860-A 20 francs
• 1860-BB 20 francs
• Coins and currency dated 1860