France 1808-U 1/2 franc

Stack's Bowers 2025 ANA sale, lot 43406

This specimen was lot 43406 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it sold for $1,140. The catalog description^[1] noted, "FRANCE. Empire. Demi-Franc (1/2 Franc), 1808-U. Turin Mint. Napoleon I. PCGS VF-25. Emanating from a very paltry output, as is evidenced by the small mintage figure, this RARITY does exhibit a fair degree of circulation, but nevertheless remains without issue. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Paul Davies at NYINC on 13 December 1980 for $150)." The Turin mint in Italy struck coinage of French design from year 12 to 1813. Most of its product, like this one, is rare. This design added a laurel wreath to Napoleon's bust. In 1809, the reverse was revised to read "EMPIRE FRANÇAISE".

Recorded mintage: 3,333.

Specifications: 2.5 g, 0.900 fine silver, 18 mm diameter, decorated edge, designed by Pierre Joseph Tiolier (1763-1819).

Catalog reference: KM-680.13; Gad-398; F.177/15.

Sources:

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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2025 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Richard August Collection and the Richard Margolis Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.

Link to:

France 1808-U 1/2 franc

Navigation menu

Search