Westphalia 1808-J 2 franken
This specimen was lot 1407 in Jean Elsen sale 151 (Brussels, June 2022), where it sold for €380 (about US$475 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, WESTPHALIE, Jérôme Napoléon (1807-1813), AR 2 Franken, 1808J. Rare Défauts de flan au centre du flan et sur la tranche. Très Beau. (Germany, kingdom of Westphalia, Jerome Napoleon, 1807-13, silver two franken of 1808. Rare, planchet defects on the center and at the edge, Very Fine.)"
Jerome was made the puppet king of Westphalia by his brother Napoleon in 1807 and ruled there until French defeats forced his abdication. His reign is remarkable for the issue of the first decimal coinage in Germany, which included this two franks struck to the standard of the franc Germinal. It and the accompanying half, one and five franks are all rare, altho some of the copper two, five and ten centimes are common in low grade. Most of the region was returned to Hannover, which resumed the issue of the old fashioned pfennige, groschen and thalers.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 10 g, 0.900 fine silver, 0.289 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 100, J. 37; A.K.S. 34.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 151: Collection Paul Witte, Monnaies de Brabant, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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