France 1809-L 5 francs

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Stack's Bowers September 2025 Collectors Choice sale, lot 71299
SB925-71299r.jpg

This specimen was lot 71299 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2025), where it sold for $384. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE. Empire. 5 Francs, 1809-L. Bayonne Mint. Napoleon I. PCGS AU-53. A few adjustment marks and some mottling to the toning are noted, but this more elevated specimen stands as solid representative. From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Stu Witham on 8 September 1970)." Silver five francs were minted throughout Napoleon's reign in large quantities using looted bullion. This type succeeded the "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE" reverse struck 1807-08. A complete set of this type comprises 95 date and mintmark combinations, some very rare. This date is not priced better than TTB (Extremely Fine) in Le Franc. The entire production run totaled about 127 million pieces. All silver five francs were officially recalled in 1928 but ceased to circulate after World War I. This coin was legal tender in the United States until 1857 at a value of 93 cents.

Recorded mintage: 216,678[2], a scarce date.

Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, 37 mm diameter, edge lettered DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE. Designed by Pierre Joseph Tiolier, 1763-1819.

Catalog reference: Dav-85; F.307/8, KM-694.9; Gad-584.

Sources:

  • Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
  • Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
  • Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
  • [2]Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
  • George Sobin, Jr., The Silver Crowns of France, 1640-1973. Teaneck, NJ: Richard Margolis, 1974.
  • [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, including Selections from the Richard Margolis Collection and Selections from the L.E. Bruun Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.

Link to:

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