France 1781-A 1/5 ecu

Heritage sale 61259, lot 99229

This specimen was lot 99229 in Heritage sale 61259 (Dallas, TX, February 2022), where it sold for $750. The catalog description^[1] noted, "France: Louis XVI 1/5 Ecu 1781/78-A MS65 NGC, Paris mint. A jewel representative of the type whose surfaces pulsate with argent luster against a sharp portrait of Louis XVI. Very scarce in this quality, and the sole example certified by NGC." This type was struck 1775-90 with the Paris mint contributing 1775-78, 1780-86, 1789-90. While the type is not rare, it was not made in large quantities and only a few dates are common.

Recorded mintage: 8,880^[2]; a scarce date.

Specification: silver, 11 deniers (.917 fine), 41.5 pieces to the mark (5.83 g), face value 24 sols, 26-27 mm diameter. Engraved by Benjamin Duvivier.

Catalog reference: Dr/4 № 886, Dr/2 № 619, KM 569.1, Gad-354.

Source:

• ^[2]Droulers, Frédéric, Répertoire General des Monnaies de Louis XIII à Louis XVI (1610-1792), 4e édition. Paris: AFPN, 2009.
• Duplessy, Jean, Les Monnaies Françaises Royales de Hugues Capet à Louis XVI (987-1793), Tome II, 2e édition, Paris: Maison Platt, 1999.
• Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Royales Françaises, 1610-1792, 5me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2018.
• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• ^[1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, The Long Island Collection of French Coins Showcase Auction #61259, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2022.

Link to:

• 1778-A cinquième d'écu au buste habillé
• 1781-AA sol à l'écu
• 1781-A dixième d'écu au buste habillé
• 1781-A demi-écu au buste habillé
• 1781-W double louis d'or au buste habillé
• 1782-A cinquième d'écu au buste habillé
• 1782-A écu au buste habillé
• Coins and currency dated 1781
• return to French royal coinage (to 1793)