France 1814-A 2 francs

Jean Elsen sale 158, lot 1770

This specimen was lot 1770 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €340 (about US$442 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"FRANCE, Napoléon Ier (1804-1814), AR 2 francs, 1814 A, Paris. Fines griffes. Patine foncée. Très Beau à Superbe. (empire of France, Napoleon I, 1804-14, silver two francs of 1814, Paris mint. Fine scratches, nice toning, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"

This type with the laureate head was struck at Paris 1809-14 and is the most common mint, altho all the two francs are scarce compared to the millions of five francs struck at the same time. The year 1814, with the disruption attendant on the collapse of Napoleon's regime, was not a good year for two franc pieces and only three mints issued the denomination. All two francs issued prior to 1859, including this one, were demonetized in 1869 to make way for the succeeding issue which was only 0.835 fine.

Reported Mintage: 94,769, a better date despite the substantial mintage.

Specification: 10 g, 0.900 fine silver, 27 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 693.1, F.255/67, Gad-501.

Source:

Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2013.
^[1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.

Link to:

France 1814-A 2 francs

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