France 1812-W 2 francs

Jean Elsen sale 155, lot 1735

This specimen was lot 1735 in Jean Elsen sale 155 (Brussels, June 2023), where it sold for €440 (about US$577 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"FRANCE, Napoléon Ier (1804-1814), AR 2 francs, 1812 W, Lille. Traces d'ajustage. Rare dans cette qualité. Superbe. (empire of France, Napoleon I, 1804-14, silver two francs of 1812, Lille mint. Traces of adjustment marks, rare in this quality, Extremely Fine.)"

This type was struck 1809-14 during the reign of Napoleon I from numerous mints. The specimen shown is from Lille and is common. Many issues of this type are known from a handful (<10) of examples. The type is not difficult to find but is expensive in high grade. All two francs issued prior to 1859, including this one, were demonetized in 1869 to make way for the succeeding issue which was only .835 fine.

Recorded mintage: 108,160.

Specification: 27 mm diameter, 10 grams, .900 fine silver, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. Designed by Pierre Joseph Tiolier, 1763-1819.

Catalog reference: F.255/51, Gad-501, KM 693.15.

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, 2014.
^[1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 155, Collection Marc Bar et Distinctions de Jean-Baptiste Nothomb, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.

Link to:

France 1812-W 2 francs

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