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CSNS Signature Sale 3099 5-7 May 2022
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France
Napoleon III Pair of gilt-bronze Specimen Uniface Obverse & Reverse Trial Strike 5 Francs 1855-A SP64 PCGS,
1) Obverse Trial 5 Francs, cf. KM-TS5, Maz-1626a (R2)
2) Reverse Trial 5 Francs, cf. KM-TS6, Maz-1626a (R2)
A highly enigmatic pair of "trials" which show all evidence of having been together since their striking. Whereas most Napoleon III gilt uniface trials of this period show a smooth reverse, either gilded or ungilded, sometimes inscribed with information about the striking, these clearly show the impression of the design from the other face--appearing as Napoleon's bust surrounded by a wreath. The planchets are further unusually thin, though the possibility of a split planchet seems excluded by the fact that the wreath edges are above Napoleon's bust on the back of the obverse, and below his bust on the back of the reverse. Interestingly, we would note that the 2017 edition of Gadoury pictures two 10 Francs pieces exhibiting a similar effect on pg. 569. Certainly a set worthy of closer study, and not to be confused with the more standard trial strikes described in the literature.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/france/france-napoleon-iii-pair-of-gilt-bronze-specimen-uniface-obverse-and-reverse-trial-strike-5-francs-1855-a-sp64-pcgs-/a/3099-31788.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3099-05052022
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Napoleon III Pair of gilt-bronze Specimen Uniface Obverse & Reverse Trial Strike 5 Francs 1855-A SP64 PCGS,
1) Obverse Trial 5 Francs, cf. KM-TS5, Maz-1626a (R2)
2) Reverse Trial 5 Francs, cf. KM-TS6, Maz-1626a (R2)
A highly enigmatic pair of "trials" which show all evidence of having been together since their striking. Whereas most Napoleon III gilt uniface trials of this period show a smooth reverse, either gilded or ungilded, sometimes inscribed with information about the striking, these clearly show the impression of the design from the other face--appearing as Napoleon's bust surrounded by a wreath. The planchets are further unusually thin, though the possibility of a split planchet seems excluded by the fact that the wreath edges are above Napoleon's bust on the back of the obverse, and below his bust on the back of the reverse. Interestingly, we would note that the 2017 edition of Gadoury pictures two 10 Francs pieces exhibiting a similar effect on pg. 569. Certainly a set worthy of closer study, and not to be confused with the more standard trial strikes described in the literature.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/france/france-napoleon-iii-pair-of-gilt-bronze-specimen-uniface-obverse-and-reverse-trial-strike-5-francs-1855-a-sp64-pcgs-/a/3099-31788.s?type=DA-DMC-CoinArchives-WorldCoins-3099-05052022
HID02906262019
© 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved