France 1850-A 20 francs
This specimen was lot 152 in the Eliasberg sale, where it sold for $161. The catalog description[1] noted, "1850 (A) 20 francs. Paris mint. AU-58 (NGC). Liberty Head to right, legends around/denomination in wreath, legends and date around. Lustrous yellow gold, most lustre remains. From B. Max Mehl's sale of the Belden Roach Collection, February 1944, Lot 1402." This type, issued during the French Second Republic, was minted at Paris only during 1849-51. It was superseded by the twenty francs "Louis-Napoleon". There is also a rather scarce gold ten francs struck 1850-51 featuring the same bust of Cérès.
Recorded mintage: 4,050,606.
Specification: 6.45 g, .900 fine gold, 21 mm diameter, designed by Louis Merley (1815-83); this specimen: 6.42 grams, 21.10 mm.
Catalog reference: Fr-566, Gadoury-244, KM 762, F.529/3.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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.
- [1]Kraljevich, John, John Pack, Elizabeth O. Piper and Frank Van Valen, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., Collection of World Gold Coins and Medals, Wolfboro, NH: American Numismatic Rarities, 2005.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2011, 20me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2011.
- Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc VIII: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2009.
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