Heritage World Coin Auctions
March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
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France
Napoleon gold Proof Medallic Essai "Paris Mint Visit" 5 Francs L'An XI (1803) PR61 NGC, Maz-629b var. (R4; plain edge), VG-1204 (plain edge, wide rim). Plain edge. By Tiolier. An extremely rare variant of this scarce Essai type, struck in gold, though with both a plain edge and a thick, raised rim, as compared to the examples plated in Mazard and VG, which both show rims identical to the less well-defined silver Essais of similar design. This offering represents the only example that we have seen or could locate, and it may well be unique in this particular presentation and plain-edged format. Commemorating the First Consul's visit to the Paris mint on the 21st of Ventose, Year XI (March 12, 1803), we can think of no more fitting exhibition of this historical subject than that in gold, complete with the shimmering Proof surfaces and striking detail that yields an aesthetic character wholly unlike that of the already-scarce silver commemoratives of the early Napoleonic period. A laudable coin, no doubt destined for a specialized cabinet of French coinage.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/france/france-napoleon-gold-proof-medallic-essai-paris-mint-visit-5-francs-l-an-xi-1803-pr61-ngc-/a/3096-30175.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 20000-40000 USD
Napoleon gold Proof Medallic Essai "Paris Mint Visit" 5 Francs L'An XI (1803) PR61 NGC, Maz-629b var. (R4; plain edge), VG-1204 (plain edge, wide rim). Plain edge. By Tiolier. An extremely rare variant of this scarce Essai type, struck in gold, though with both a plain edge and a thick, raised rim, as compared to the examples plated in Mazard and VG, which both show rims identical to the less well-defined silver Essais of similar design. This offering represents the only example that we have seen or could locate, and it may well be unique in this particular presentation and plain-edged format. Commemorating the First Consul's visit to the Paris mint on the 21st of Ventose, Year XI (March 12, 1803), we can think of no more fitting exhibition of this historical subject than that in gold, complete with the shimmering Proof surfaces and striking detail that yields an aesthetic character wholly unlike that of the already-scarce silver commemoratives of the early Napoleonic period. A laudable coin, no doubt destined for a specialized cabinet of French coinage.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/france/france-napoleon-gold-proof-medallic-essai-paris-mint-visit-5-francs-l-an-xi-1803-pr61-ngc-/a/3096-30175.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 20000-40000 USD