Watch List notes:

France - Ile de la Reunion, Vth Republic. . Pattern (ESSAI) 1 Franc, 1896, Paris mint, cupro-nickel, weight 5 g., diameter 25mm, plain edge, ref. Lec. 43.. . Obv. bust of Mercure left, underneath signature LAGRANGE, legend R...PUBLIQUE FRAN«AISE * ILE DE LA R...UNION *, rev. centered legend BON POUR UN FRANC and date 1896 i circular legend CONTRE-VALEUR D...POS...E * AU TR...SOR COLONIAL. *.. . Very rare variety pattern (Lec. 43) as more often found in other nickel -silver variety (Lec. 44 in Maillechort). Definitively a gem essai/pattern in SP61 representative of the late XIXth century coinage for this former French Colony, now part of France since 1965.. PCGS SP61



(500 - 1000 USD)