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March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
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France
Louis XVIII gold Proof Medallic "Mint Visit" 5 Francs 1817 PR64+ Cameo NGC, KM-M12d (3 Known), Maz-789 (R5), VG-2494. Incuse edge lettering. Struck in commemoration of the Duchess of Angoulême's visit to the Monnaie de Paris in the name of King Louis XVIII. The Duchess, daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, survived the French Revolution to later become an important figure after the final restoration of the French monarchy in 1815, representing the King in various administrative tasks, including her visit to the mint in April of 1817. The design of this commemorative strike, produced in a lavish gold format (as compared to the more abundant silver productions of otherwise identical design) in several ways speaks to the Bourbon desire to separate themselves from Napoleonic titles and convention, with Louis now boldly proclaimed as "King of France" on the obverse, as compared to Napoleon's title as [Emperor] "of the French." The prominent use of a crown in the design similarly speaks to this contrast, serving as a clear attempt to establish a sense of legitimacy and authority tied to both past and present Bourbon rule. The Standard Catalog of World Coins states that only three examples are known, while other records indicate that the true number may be up to, but no more than, ten. What is certain is that the present offering is likely among the absolute finest of those that remain, if not so. Blessed with exquisite detail and certified on the cusp of gem condition, it is indeed difficult to imagine that a meaningfully finer example exists. Reflective, bright, and lacking all but trivial instances of handling, this laudable medallic issue belongs only in a world-class collection of French gold coinage.
Ex. Hess-Divo Auction 293 (October 2002, Lot 213); Likely Farouk Collection (Sotheby's February 1954, Lot 519), though the quality of the photographic plates makes a direct comparison difficult
https://coins.ha.com/itm/france/france-louis-xviii-gold-proof-medallic-mint-visit-5-francs-1817-pr64-cameo-ngc-/a/3096-30176.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 20000-40000 USD
Louis XVIII gold Proof Medallic "Mint Visit" 5 Francs 1817 PR64+ Cameo NGC, KM-M12d (3 Known), Maz-789 (R5), VG-2494. Incuse edge lettering. Struck in commemoration of the Duchess of Angoulême's visit to the Monnaie de Paris in the name of King Louis XVIII. The Duchess, daughter of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, survived the French Revolution to later become an important figure after the final restoration of the French monarchy in 1815, representing the King in various administrative tasks, including her visit to the mint in April of 1817. The design of this commemorative strike, produced in a lavish gold format (as compared to the more abundant silver productions of otherwise identical design) in several ways speaks to the Bourbon desire to separate themselves from Napoleonic titles and convention, with Louis now boldly proclaimed as "King of France" on the obverse, as compared to Napoleon's title as [Emperor] "of the French." The prominent use of a crown in the design similarly speaks to this contrast, serving as a clear attempt to establish a sense of legitimacy and authority tied to both past and present Bourbon rule. The Standard Catalog of World Coins states that only three examples are known, while other records indicate that the true number may be up to, but no more than, ten. What is certain is that the present offering is likely among the absolute finest of those that remain, if not so. Blessed with exquisite detail and certified on the cusp of gem condition, it is indeed difficult to imagine that a meaningfully finer example exists. Reflective, bright, and lacking all but trivial instances of handling, this laudable medallic issue belongs only in a world-class collection of French gold coinage.
Ex. Hess-Divo Auction 293 (October 2002, Lot 213); Likely Farouk Collection (Sotheby's February 1954, Lot 519), though the quality of the photographic plates makes a direct comparison difficult
https://coins.ha.com/itm/france/france-louis-xviii-gold-proof-medallic-mint-visit-5-francs-1817-pr64-cameo-ngc-/a/3096-30176.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 20000-40000 USD