2013 Auction of French Coins
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Paul Bosco Coins and Medals 2013 Auction of French Coins Contact me at [email protected] Part1: French Provincial Coinage Part2: French Metropolitan Coinage Part3: Tokens FRENCH PROVINCIAL COINAGE ANTWERP (Anvers) Lot 1. 1814. Copper 10-Centimes. Emergency issues. Napoleon (VF) and Louis XVIII (F) KM5.4($150), 7.2($60) 2 coins MB=$60 ($100-150) BOUILLON & SEDAN Lot 2. 1613. Ecu (=30 Sols). Dav.3822, KM22 (priced “RARE”). F-VF. MB=$250 ($500-up) ►Henri de la Tour, 1591-23. Eagle with laureate pig(!!) on breast. Rev: Crowned arms, quartered, with matching arms in quadrants 1 & 4, and 2 & 3 (thus distinguishing this type from Dav.3816-17). KM prices this type only as “Rare”. The KM Price Guide to Davenport (1981) likewise prices this as “Rare”, whereas the portrait Ecus, while rare, are at least priced ($3000-3500 VF in 1981). Lot 3. 161x. Ecu (=45 Sols). Henri de la Tour, portrait type. KM29, Dav.3822($3500 VF in 1981). VF but with problems (worth VG -- or better?), and with date incomplete. MB=$300 ($500-1000) ►Portrait sharp but fields with many fine scratches. Uneven color. While French coins are popular in the USA, this highly specialized issue may sell below the $1000-2000 level suggested by the 30-year-old KM valuation. DOMBES Lot 4. 1575.Teston. VF but rough and “scaly”, thus valued as G/VG (b.c./t.b.c.) MB=$50 ($100-up) ►Louis de Bourbon Montpensier. Bare-headed bust left / arms. LILLE Lot 5. 1708. V, X & XX Sols. Copper. Siege coins. KM5-7. VF, F & VG. MB=$50 ($160-240) ►City in Northern France, besieged for three months by the Austrians & English. Among the least expensive siege coins. The 20-Sols has the denomination woven into the coat of arms, in the form of 20 small esses. MAYENCE (MAINZ) Lot 6. 1793. Siege 2, 5 Sols. Copper. KM (under German States) 602($85), 603($185). VF+, VF+. MB=$100 ($240-300) ►Fasces/value. Not rare coins, but long on history and sought by collectors from multiple specialties. The KM values have been bested in auctions, going back 5 years. 1 NAVARRE/BEARN NEAPOLITAN REPUBLIC Lot. 7 1577. Teston. Henri II & Marguerite, facing busts/quartered arms. Lot 8 (1799) 6-Carlini (= ½-Piastra). KM-C83. VG or better. Portrait details a bit weak, as is normal; otherwise, probably About MB=$50 ($100-150) VF. ►Standing female with Liberty Pole and fasces / value in wreath. Date reads ANNO MB=$100 ($300-400) SETTIMO. KM $150 Fine ($500 VF!), but seldom available for under $100. ►iNumis auction (Paris), 3/26/07 #679, a comparable coin, realized Eur312 + commission, or nearly $500. PIEDMONT REPUBLIC Lot 9 L’An-9. Due (2) Soldi. Brassy copper. KM-C3. All VF or +, but look VG-F MB=$40 ($80-120) ►Actually better than average for this rude coinage. STRASSBOURG/LORRAINE (Bishops) Lot 10 N.d. (1600s) Teston. KM254 (under Strassbourg). F/VF+. MB=$50 ($80-120) ►Charles (Karl) III, 1545-1608. Bust left/arms. Roller dies. The obverse curiously waved, the reverse nice. ADDED: a small silver 2-Deniers, i name of Henri (1608-24), KM13, G-VG. 2 STRASSBOURG (City) Lot 11 1773. Copper Kreuzer. KM64($75 VF), VF/VF+. MB=$40 ($100-150) ►Ludwig (Louis) Konstantin, 1756-79. Arms/value. Rather uncommon. Lot 12 N.d. (ca14th Cent.) Silver Hohlpfennig. XF-UNC. 11 pcs. MB=$60 ($150-250) ►Large fleur-de-lis over cross, within pearled border. Rev: incuse. Might be classed as bracteates. Most appear to be mint state, and arguably choice--thus slab candidates!!?? 3 Lot 13 N.d. 1600s). Taler. KM306, Dav.5842 ($500 in 1981!) VF. Lot 14 N.d. (1600s). 60-Kreuzer (37mm silver). KM197. Similar to the MB=$200 ($500-up) Taler (previous lot). (About) VF. KM=$200 VF) MB=$100 ( $200-up) ►Lis/shield between two lions. Nice old blue-grey toning, lively surfaces. Lot 15 N.d. (1600s) 2-Kreuzer(3), 12-Kreuzer. 4 coins. MB=$75 ($120-180) ►1) 2-Kreuzer. Obv: Lis. rev: value in 3-lines: II / KREUZ / ER. Fine+; 2-3) 2-Kreuzer. Obv: shield, 2K abouve. Rev: lis. F+ & Bold VF (or +); 4) 12-Kreuzer. KM150($65 F, $135 VF). Lis/cross fleury. Also called “12 Assis”. F+, small edge notch as made. Lot 16 1814-15. Decime. Large brass emergency coins. 2 pcs. MB=$20 ($50-70) ►1) 1815. Napoleon. Dor after date and DECIME. Abt.VF. 2) 1814-15 (date worn off).Louis XVIII. Good. TOURNAI Lot 17 1709. 2(-Sols). Copper siege coin. KM-A6, Maillet 112/21, Boudeau 2331. UNC, good strike and flan, NEARLY FULL MINT RED MB=$300 ($500-up) ►Truly exceptional, as normally not seen in much better than VF and often with flaws. More scarce than rare --in normal condition-- but KM does price it at $225 VF, $375 XF. A weak VF was auctioned by the Paris firm iNumis, 3/19/2010, for about $375. 4 FRENCH COLONIAL COINAGE COMORO ISLANDS Lot 18 Large lot of COLONIAL issues, mostly 1940s-1960s. Many issuing authorities (Asia, Africa, Oceania...) Base metals. Many Unc. About 85 coins (many duplicates). MB=$40 ($100-150) ►Some of the coins retail in the low double-figures. FRENCH COLONIES in AMERICA Lot 19 1767. Sou. Copper. Listed in the USA Red Book. Sub-type with RF counterstamp. VF, stamp better. MB=$60 ($120-180) ►ADDED: Billon Douzain, 1593, with fleur-de-lis counterstamp, used in the Americas, Mediocre condition. FRENCH COLONIES (GENERAL ISSUES) Lot 20 1824A. Pattern 5-Centimes. Copper. KM-E8($125), Lecompte 293. Brown UNC-63, some red. MB=$60 ($120-180) ►Rather common for a Pattern. Lecompte notes that it is sometimes claimed it was struck later than the date it bears, but it is the only Louis XVIII portrait in the series. Lot 21 1827-29-43. Three nice coins. KM $285 in XF, each of these is better than XF MB=$100 ($200-350) ►1) 1827H 5-Centimes XF-AU; 2) 1829A 10-Centimes, brass, AU altho not lustrous; 3) 1843A 5-Centimes copper brown AU, some mint red. Each coin free of imperfections. Lot 22 1827-44. 5-, 10-Centimes. Copper & brass. 21 coins. Duplication. Half-a-dozen F-VF, the rest Good-Fine. MB=$50 ($100-150) ALGERIA Lot 23 AH1235. ½-Budju. 1.69gms. KM61($125) XF. MB=$30 ($75-150) Lot 24 AH1238. ¼-Dudju, 2-Budju. KM 67, 75. The latter crown size. VF+, XF. MB=$50 ($80-120) CAMBODIA Lot 25 1860. 5, 10(2) & 50-Centimes. Lot of 4 different. MB=$40 ($80-120) ►5C Good; 10C, European and local issues, both VF, the local maybe VF+; 50C (silver) Fine. All dated 1860 but not struck until 1875. CANADA/US COLONIES Lot 26 1721H. 9-Deniers. 1739A, 1740P, 1741BB. 2-Sous (Sou Marque). All Good. Plus a Sou Marque with date and mintmark illegible. 5 coins. MB=$50 ($100-200) Lot 28 AH1308 (AD1890). 5-Francs. KM3($725 VF), Lecompte 10. Mintage but 2050 pieces. VF+, 3 small edge nicks & small digs in CAYENNE (French Guiana) reverse center. MB=$100 ($500-750) Lot 27 1782, 1789(17). 2-Sous. Fine to Abt.Unc. Also 7 other coins of ►Flags and Arabic text in wreath/weapons; inscription around, with date at 6:00. One of the world’s most popular crowns. A rare chance to buy one for a lower price, but the the period. 25 coins in total. MB=$50 ($100-200) coin, while imperfect, is not unattractive.. ►1782 counterfeit, AU; 1789 mostly Fine + to VF, a few XF, a few genuine. Also 7 pieces of the “Crowned C” Sou, struck on new flans, F-VF. Lot 29 AH1308 (AD1890). Bronze 10-Centimes. Privy-mark: torch. KM2.2($225). Red & Brown UNC. MB=$75 ($150-250) ►Two small carbon spots on reverse. Would probably slab MS62. Lecompte states the Torch variety was struck 1901. 5 FRENCH COCHIN-CHINA Lot 31 1879A. 20-Centimes. Silver. KM5($150 XF) Lecompte 21(Eur.250 Superbe). XF+. MB=$100 ($100-300) Lot 30 1879A. 2-Sapeque. KM2, Lecompte 9($300 Euros!) Virtually UNC, toned deep brown. MB=$50 ($100-up) Lot 32 1884A. 10-Centimes. Silver. KM4, Lec.18. Overall, VF+. ►The French-issued coins of this region have caught the attention of the heated Chinese market Lecompte was published in 2007, so his valuations (300/500 Euros in Sup/FDC) MB=$40 ($75-100) predate this new interest. Lot 33 1879-84. 2-Sapeque, Centime(2), 10-Centimes(2). 5 coins. MB=$50 ($100-200) ►2-Sapeque VF; Centime 1879 VF & 1884 (VF+); 10-Centimes 1884 AG & F-VF. FRENCH GUIANA Lot 34 1818, 1846. 10-Centimes. Billon. XF, Nice UNC.MB=$100 ($200-300) ►The first XF (KM $100) but is probably a heavily toned AU --at least at this time. The latter with classic toning for this silver-washed billon coin: at least MS63 (KM $85 XF, while UNC is unpriced). Lot 35. 1818(4), 1846(3). 10-Centimes. As last lot. 7 coins. MB=$40 ($80-120) ►1818: G-VG, F,VF & VF+. 1846: VG, F, VF. KM value about $180. FRENCH INDO-CHINA Lot 36 1885-92-1902-14-22-23. Centime. Also two more 1885, & another 1923 (AU-Unc). All XF or better, some AU. 8 coins. MB=$30 ($60-100) Lot 37 1885-1923. Centime. 25 pcs. Some duplicates before 1900. F-VF. MB=$20 ($40-80) 6 Lot 38 1885-1911-16-20. 20-Centimes. Plus a duplicate 1920. MB=$100 ($150-250) ►1885 VF+, 1911 XF, 1916 (scarce date) F-VF, and two 1920 in XF-AU.