France 1888-A 20 francs

Sincona sale 20, lot 2849

This specimen was lot 2849 in Sincona sale 20 (Zürich, October 2014), where it sold for CHF 475 (about US$595 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted, "20 Francs 1888. Paris Gutes vorzüglich. (good extremely fine.)" This type revives the type struck 1848-49 during the Second Republic. All 86 million were struck at the Paris mint. Most dates are readily available; only the 1888-A is rare. This type is commonly called an "angel" by American dealers but the French name "Génie" is more accurate, as the figure is the Genius of France inscribing the Constitution. It was officially withdrawn from circulation in 1928 and demonetized in 2005 but ceased to circulate after World War One.

Recorded mintage: 27,707.

Specification: 6.45 g, 0.900 fine gold, 21 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE, revival of a design by Augustin Dupré (1748-1833). This specimen is 6.46 g.

Catalog reference: Gadoury 1063. Schl. 440. Fr-592. F.533/11, KM 825.

Source:

• Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
• ^[2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Richter, Jürg, Numismatic Coins & Medals: Auction 20, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2014.

Link to:

• 1886-A 20 francs
• 1888-A centime
• 1888-A 2 centimes
• 1888-A 5 centimes
• 1888-A 10 centimes
• 1888-A 50 centimes
• 1888-A franc
• 1889-A 20 francs
• Coins and currency dated 1888