France L'AN 5 centime

from the Stack's Bowers 2024 ANA sale, lot 43296

This specimen was lot 43296 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2024), where it sold for $1,080. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"FRANCE. Directory. Bronze Centime Module Essai (Pattern), Year 5 (1796/7). Paris Mint. PCGS SPECIMEN-64 Brown. Plain edge. By P. Gengembre. An exceptional near-Gem example of this method of striking type, the present specimen yields even brown surfaces with a pleasing strike and tantalizing remaining brilliance. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Ted Uhl at the AMFICC in New York City on 15 March 1973)."

The reverse legend, "COUPÉ ET FRAPPÉ EN MÊME TEMS PAR PH:GENGEMBRE" translates as, "Punched and struck at the same time by Ph. Gengembre". It seems likely that this piece is intended to advertise minting equipment rather than a design concept. The one centime denomination began production in year 6 and used an obverse very similar to this.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: copper, this specimen 2.05 g.

Catalog reference: Maz-382 (R2); Guilloteau-527.

Source:

• Guilloteau, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, Colonies 1670-1942 et Metropole 1774-1942, Versailles, 1942.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2024 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Emilio M. Ortiz Collection, The Richard Margolis Collection and The Rutherford Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.

Link to:

• France L'AN 2-A centime, pattern
• L'AN 5-R large "CNIQ" centimes
• L'AN 5-BB large 5 centimes, restruck over un décime
• L'AN 5-R large 5 centimes
• AN 5-BB décime
• AN 5-I décime
• AN 5-W décime
• L'AN 5-A 5 francs
• L'AN 5-BB 5 francs
• L'AN 5-T 5 francs
• L'AN 6-A centime
• Coins and currency dated 1796