Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 46

The Millennia Collection

France

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 538		France. Frankish Kingdom -- Carolingians. Charlemagne, AD 768-814. Light Denier (Uncertain mint: Milan?). 1.04 grams. Name in two lines: CARO / LVS, bead border around. Reverse: Inscription, RX - F (Rex Francorum, "King of the Franks"), bead border around. Cf. MEC 730, 731; Morrison/Grunthal 226 var.; Prou 891. Bold strike, on especially fine metal. Handsome light toning. NGC graded AU-58. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. Ex "Princely Cabinet," Cahn, Auktion 79 (1932), lot 1215; Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 64. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $8,855
Lot 539		France. Anglo-Gallic coinage, Leopard d'Or, ND (Aquitaine). Fr.-4; Elias-38b; B-482; P.A.-2844. 3.84 grams. Edward III of England, 1327-1377. Crowned lion passant left, within poly-lobed tressure. Reverse: Cross fleury, leopards in angles, all within angled quadrilobe. Excellent strike overall on a large flan, toned a beautiful golden red. Unusually clear legends, and the leopard motif for which the coinage was named is crisp in essential details. Very rare. NGC graded AU-58. Located in southwestern France, Aquitaine was a conquered French province during the Hundred Years War as the English longbowmen overwhelmed the French, with their hired Italian crossbowmen--outdistanced them in firepower and outsmarted them in maneuvers. The symbolism and legends of this coin must have enraged the French. As a late Medieval coin, it is simply stunning. Estimated Value $4,000 - 5,000. Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 75. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $20,125
Lot 540		France. Anglo-Gallic coinage, Salut d'Or, ND (Rouen). Fr-18; Elias-270. Henry VI, 1422-1453. Madonna and archangel Gabriel over arms of France and England. Reverse: Latin cross in polylobe with fleur-de-lis and leopard. Mintmark, Leopard. A gorgeous example, top portion of the central obverse showing softness but crisp on almost all other details, therefore exceptional, on a broad flan with full, sharp legends, the luster satiny and the gold a most alluring color. NGC graded MS-63. This historic coin was minted at Rouen, capital of Normandy in northern France. When Henry V conquered it, the province and town became a part of England. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake here, and a large memorial still stands at the town center honoring her. The Salut d'Or, in terms of gold value, held parity with the English Half Noble, and during its time was one of France's more stable coinages. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,645
Lot 541		France. Angel d'Or, ND (1341). Fr-273; Dupl-255A. 6.34 grams. House of Valois. Philipp VI, 1328-1350. Archangel Michael stands atop winged and hooved devil, holding cross, his hand upon shield, tressure around. Reverse: Floriated cross, quadrilobe border with fleur-de-lis points, crowns at angles. A fairly sharp strike, strong details on the central devices, most legends showing. Rare as an issue, and especially so in this grade. NGC graded AU-55. Hammered gold coins were issued by France for over 300 years, ending with the reign of Louis XIII. During this entire period only in 1341 was this type issued with a standing Archangel Michael. A major rarity, historically and symbolically important. Estimated Value $8,000 - 9,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $13,225
Lot 542		France. Lorraine. Testone, 1544. Boudeau -1514; Roberts-9552. 9.40 grams. Antoine I, 1508-1544. Crowned and draped bust left. Reverse: Crowned shield of arms, date below. Planchet defect at 7 o'clock, otherwise well struck with minimal flatness for issue. Fine surfaces, with residual luster. "Old collection" premium toning, with touches of lighter iridescence in the recesses of the legend. NGC graded MS-62. There is a well-known painting of Antoine by Hans Holbein the Younger, done in 1543, where Antoine appears relaxed and regal. The technology in coin engraving was not as advanced. Here Antoine appears far less attractive, and yet his portrait is classic Renaissance in style. Estimated Value $700 - 800. Illustrated in Money of The World, p.151, coin plate #93. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 543		France. 60 Sols, 1642-A (Paris). Dav-3796; KM-120.1. 27.41 grams. Louis XIII. Laureate bust right, with bare neck and drapery low on the shoulders (engraving style identical to that on the Cromwell coins of this same period). Reverse: Crowned arms. Well struck, with full centers. Handsomely toned, the gray reflecting reds and blues, with apricot and russets in the recesses. Lustrous. Very rare in this grade. NGC graded MS-62. Louis XIII was the first French king to issue crown-sized Ecus, issued just at the end of his reign (1642 and 1643), thus quite scarce. Precious few have survived this choice. Estimated Value $7,000 - 8,000. Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 97. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $22,425
Lot 544		France. Ecu d'Argent of 8 Livres, 1691-P (Dijon). Dav-3811; KM-275.13; Ciani-1873; Gadoury-216; Duplessy-1514. 27.36 grams. Louis XIV, 1643-1715. Draped, wigged bust of Louis right, sun "initial mark" within legend. Reverse: Crowned, cruciform design of 8 "L"s, with the mintmark bold within the central device. Obverse die showing some wear and retooling; the reverse die fresh. Crisp strike, on bright to reflective fields. Fields very clean, with attractive light silvery blue and lilac iridescent toning. An exceptional coin, and scarce in this grade. NGC graded MS-61. Louis XIV was a dominant personality in European affairs for over seventy years. His flamboyance and aggression involved France in more wars than it could afford. So Louis, although revered by his citizens, may have been an overall negative force in French history. His coinage was extensive, and this Ecu is about as beautiful an artistic rendering in metal as one could imagine. Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,990
Lot 545		France. Ecu, 1716-A (Paris). Dav-1326; Cr-20.1. Louis XV, 1710-1774. Draped, bare-headed youthful portrait. Reverse: Large crown upon "global" crest. Evidence of striking over earlier type, producing a shallow portrait. Considerable luster and lovely, slightly dappled iridescent silvery blue and mauve toning. NGC graded MS-63. Introduced in 1641 as the Louis d'argent, France's ecu d'argent was born out of a need to put the country's increasingly disordered currency on a more rational footing, not only for home use but especially to update it so that it could compete more rationally in international markets. Because the new coin was tariffed in relation to the gold ecu, the name soon became attached to the new silver coin. After all this, sadly, stability remained an elusive ideal for France's currency. From 1689 to 1715 there were five "reformations," or demonetizing of coinage then current, followed by new issues often at inflated values -- all accomplished to provide the Crown with a profit for its efforts. To save expenses, the coins were not melted but simply restruck with a new design over the old. Thus on this ecu of 1716 we see a coin made for the young Louis XV struck over one of Louis XIV (Dav-1324.5). It dramatically illustrates French coinage history at the beginning of the Age of Reason. Estimated Value $300 - 400. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 546		France. 2 Louis d'Or de Noailles, 1717-A (Paris). Fr-450; Gad-344; KM-428.1. Louis XV, 1710-1774 (reigned from 1715). Crowned child bust left with long locks in the style for which it is named. Reverse: Cross of four shields with arms of France and Navarre, lis in angles. Adjustment marks near edge (these are found on nearly all single and double pieces of this date). Lustrous. Very rare. NGC graded MS-62. Louis XV was intelligent, well educated and surrounded by excellent ministers. Yet none of that proved sufficient. Unlike his great grandfather, Louis XIV, this Louis was generally unable to make decisions, afraid he might make errors. This indecisiveness, coupled with his numerous mistresses, alienated the people, and indirectly laid the seeds to the French Revolution. The style here, as on the single Louis of this date, is among the most finely rendered of the era and of the previous century. Estimated Value $3,000 - 3,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,900
Lot 547		France. Proof Ecu d'Argent au Bandeau, 1740-A (Paris). Dav-1331; KM-47.1; Ciani-2122; Gadoury-322; Duplessy-1680; Droulers-584. 29.51 grams. Louis XV, 1710-1774. Struck on a specially polished flan. Head of a mature Louis left, his long hair tied with a bandeau. Reverse: Crowned oval arms, within olive wreath. Superb strike, as indicative of a specimen issue. The reflective fields almost glassy in appearance, beneath fine old gray toning, redolent of blue and pale green and russet hues. Carefully preserved as a special issue or Essai, the fields exceptionally clean, the strike truly crisp, high points showing only trivial cabinet friction (consider that a coin such as this has come down to us only because it was preserved in aristocratic cabinets). An exceptional piece, very rare as an Essai, and particularly so in this stunning state of preservation. NGC graded Proof 63. No official proof issues exist from this time. Only an Essai could have been produced with this polished surface. An amazing coin, one of the finest of all French portraits (and a classic reverse as well). Estimated Value $9,000 - 10,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $14,088
Lot 548		France. 2 Louis d'Or, 1777-W (Lille). Fr-470; KM-575.14. Louis XVI, 1774-1792. Uniformed bust left. Reverse: Crown over two oval shields. Light surface flaking (caused by poor annealing of the gold alloy at the mint, typical of coins of this period), but lustrous and sharp overall, showing the classic, arrogant portrait of this infamous monarch. NGC graded MS-63. Louis XVI was the unfortunate recipient of the wrath of the French people. His execution on the guillotine changed the mindset of Europe forever. His rule was not particularly heinous, just a continuance of the practices which so aggrieved the populace for centuries. This Double Louis was the gold coin of the realm leading up to the French Revolution in 1789. In short order it would be replaced with a decimalized coinage based on the Franc, under Napoleon. Estimated Value $1,750 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $6,325
Lot 549		France. 2 Louis d'Or, 1786-D (Lyon). Fr-474; KM-592.5. Louis XVI. Bare head left. Reverse Crowned shields. Large bee beneath the king's image. Full original luster, a simply beautiful example of this classic coin. Louis appears to be stretching out his neck on this large coin, just three years before the people revolted. NGC graded MS-63. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,495
Lot 550		France. Ecu aux Lauriers, 1790-A (Paris). Dav-1333; Gad-356. Louis XVI. Bust in uniform left. Reverse: Crowned crest in laurel (possibly olive) wreath. Planchet flaws on uniform. Prooflike and fully lustrous, graced by old-time bluish iridescent cabinet toning. Wonderful strike and free from any adjustment marks. NGC graded MS-62. The youthful and vigorous, almost "romantic," portrait seen on this charming coin belies the reality of Louis XVI's reign. A dashing twenty years old at the inception of his portrait coinage in 1774, by the date of the above coin Louis was bloated and porcine, and a mere two years away from his demise before crowds of jeering Frenchmen. So too, the ecu d'argent. It would be repackaged briefly, from 1792-93, with slightly heavier weight and artful devices by the artist Augustin Dupres, of the corpulent Louis, and the notable composition of the Genius of the Constitution inscribing a tablet. But this, the ecu constitutional, was almost the final "ecu." Receiving one more transformation, as a silver 6 livres, in 1793, coinage of this weight finally ceased. The next year saw the initiation of France's newly decimalized coinage based on the Franc. Estimated Value $500 - 600. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748
Lot 551		France. Ecu of 6 Livres, 1792-A (Paris). Dav-1335; Cr-93.1. Louis XVI. Head left. Reverse: Angel writing on tablet (the Genius of the Constitution). Adjustment marks near edges on reverse, as almost always seen on this issue (often far heavier), frosty silvery portrait complemented by a blush of delicate bluish mauve iridescence. NGC graded MS-64. This coin was struck during the constitutional period of the monarchy. The French Revolution had begun, but the people wanted to keep the king as ruler, although answering to a constitution curtailing his powers. The reverse motif here alludes to that situation. Louis at first was agreeable, but later changed his mind and fled, only to be captured. It is said he was recognized, in a store, from his portrait on his coins! Thus, numismatics altered history. Few coins are so historic as this piece, literally demonstrating the transition from the Age of Reason to that of revolution. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,185
Lot 552		France. Gold 24 Livres, 1793-A (Paris). Fr-478; Gadoury-62. 7.62 grams. First Republic, Convention, 1792-1795. Winged genius (angel) right, inscribing "Constitution" on tablet supported on altar, fasces and Liberty Cap at left, rooster at right; REGNE DE LA LOI. Reverse: Value and mintmark within oak wreath; around, REPUBLIQUE FRANÇOISE, L'AN II. Year 2 of the Revolution, during the so-called reign of the law. Less than the usual softness to obverse strike; reverse very bold. Minimal marks and "haymarking." Fields with fine satiny luster. A much better example than typically encountered. Very rare. NGC graded MS-64. Here is the first example of the angel writing upon a tablet, a theme which would become common on French gold coins. Yet this one-year type with the denomination of 24 Livres is anything but common. The Livre denomination would soon give way to the Franc. A classic of the French Revolution. Estimated Value $10,000 - 12,000. Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 121. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $16,675
Lot 553		France. 5 Francs, AN XI-A (Paris). Dav-82; Cr-145. Napoleon Bonaparte as Premier Consul. A stunning coin, prooflike and boldly struck, with deep iridescent mauve and blue toning. NGC graded MS-62. In the period of the Directory (1795-99) the young military commander Napoleon Bonaparte enjoyed a string of military victories, propeling his political ascension (and his ego), enabling him to create the Consulate (1799-1804), with himself as Premier Consul. By 1802 sole power rested in Napoleon's hands. By using this portrait and the title of premier consul, Napoleon attempted to emulate the ancient Roman Empire (both Julius Caesar and Augustus were consuls of Rome). It is also true Napoleon had to get the constitution nullified. So, like his esteemed Roman predecessors, he maintained an appearance of legitimacy yet ruled absolutely (albeit with a kind of senatorial approval). The monetary system is here demonstrated by the superb, new unit, in its largest silver form, the 5 Francs. Heavily expanded minting of the issue kept pace with Napoleon's imperialistic ambitions, making the coin one of the most visible silver pieces in early 19th-century continental Europe. Estimated Value $800 - 900. Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 123. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $3,565
Lot 554		France. Gold 40 Francs, AN XIII-A (Paris). Fr-481; KM-664.1. Napoleon Bonaparte (1804-1814). Bare head left. Reverse: Value within wreath; date below: AN XIII = 1804/05. Well struck up, the hair detail virtually complete. Bright cartwheel luster. Exceptional, the gold having a slight reddish hue. NGC graded MS-62. The largest of France's gold coins struck under Napoleon, made during Year 13 (September 23, 1804 to September 24, 1805), the second year of Napoleon's reign as "Emperor." It was a busy year for Napoleon. He crowned himself Emperor in the presence of the Pope, in Paris, in December of 1804, but in the following chronological year, 1805, he lost maritime supremacy to the British at Trafalgar. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,500. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $4,140
Lot 555		France. 5 Francs, 1815-A (Paris). Dav-85; KM-664.1; Gadourey-595. Napoleon Bonaparte, 1804-1814. Laureate head of Napoleon right. Reverse: Value within wreath, date below. Well struck up overall, with only light weakness at part of date. Marks are modest for this coin's size and grade. Pleasing "old collection" toning, from warm to bluish gray in color, over ample remaining luster. Not often seen better, and while generally listed only as rare, market availability in this condition is far more difficult. NGC graded AU-55. Napoleon's historic "100 Days" issue. When he escaped from the island of Elba, he returned to France and ruled for just 100 days until his defeat at Waterloo. All Napoleonic coins dated 1815 are both hard to come by and avidly collected. This is a gem of a piece! Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,500. Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 124. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,725
Lot 556		France. 40 Francs, 1830-A (Paris). Fr-547; KM-721.17. Charles X. Portrait right. Reverse: Crowned arms and wreath. A splendid example, in full original mint bloom, orange-golden red luster, well struck for type, among the finest to be seen. NGC graded MS-64. Charles X was briefly the King of France, from 1824 to 1830. The 40 Francs in gold was the largest precious coin minted during his reign. Introduced by Napoleon in 1802, primarily for international use, it seemed to fill the position occupied by the earlier Double Louis d'Or. But the denomination was a short-lived one, its production ceasing in 1839. Estimated Value $800 - 900. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,760
Lot 557		France. Proof 5 Francs, 1852-A (Paris). Y-13.1; Dav-94. Louis Napoleon, President of the Second Republic. Reverse: elegant wreath surrounding date and denomination. Lightly toned bluish lilac-gray, with minor hairlines. Beautiful cameo portrait. Very scarce. Classic of its era! NGC graded Proof 62. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $2,760