I got lucky in finding this - the 1849-A 20 franc. Don't have it in hand yet - but couldn't wait to share
Very beautiful, Doug. I don't think I could have waited to post it, either. If you get a chance, please post another picture when you get it. Your pictures are better than the one I just looked at.
A real prize, GD. Congratulations! Am I correct in saying that those are commonly called "French Angels"?
Not if I can help it Indeed they are. But the significance of the 1848 & 1849 angel is that they were the first struck of the Second Republic. Then the design was discontinued, not to be used again until 1871. Based on mintage numbers, it would be hard to call either of these coins rare as there was approx 1.3 & 1.5 million struck respectively. But for whatever reason, perhaps only a few survive - these coins are just never seen. In two years of searching, the coins that I am now the proud owner of, are the only examples that I have ever seen. I have never even been able to find an auction record for either one of them. So - needless to say - I'm kinda happy
I bet you are GD! Congratulations, i remember you saying how hard they were to find and how much you'd like to find the next one! Ain't it a wonderful feeling to finally get that one you've been after?
Spoken like a true "coin collector", Sylvester. Only those who have searched, and waited patiently for that "special piece" to come along, can appreciate what you are saying.
Oh i've had that feeling Jody. Infact it was not unlike GD's position. I needed two sixpences, 1693 and 1694. I managed to get a decent 1693 after much searching and then i had to wait some time for the '94 to turn up, when it did i grabbed it with both hands. So i now have the full set! Truely marvelous feeling, i bet GD's gonna be happy for a fair few weeks.
That you can count on But to put things into a better perspective - understand this. I spend anywhere from 3 to 10 hrs a day, every day - 7 days a week, just searching for coins. Now imagine not being able to find even 1 example after 2 yrs of that. Until now
I always knew you were more dedicated than me, and it shows i the stuff you have in your collection! It's well thought out and only the best gets in! :thumbsup:
GD, Like I said before, I was starting to wonder if that coin ever existed. That is the first one I ever saw posted anywhere. Did it turn up in an estate sale or did someone finally answered a search bulletin? For anyone who is more interested in GD's find, you could look at the list of coins below to get an idea of what he is talking about. This is pretty much my French coin collection as well, well except for a French Franc Angel that I was starting to wonder if it ever existed. 20 Francs Bonaparte Premier Consul / Value in Wreath Latin Date XI (1802/3) XI (1802/3) 20 Francs Bonaparte Premier Consul / Value in Wreath AN Arabic Numerals 12 (1803/4) 12 (1803/4) 20 Francs Napoleon Empereur / Value in Wreath AN (Arabic Numerals) 12 (1803/4) 14 (1805/6) 20 Francs Napoleon Empereur Bare Head / Value in Wreath 1806 1807 20 Francs Napoleon Empereur Laureate Head / Value in Wreath 1807 1815 20 Francs Louis XVIII Bust / Crowned Shield in Wreath 1814 1815 20 Francs Louis XVIII Head / New Crowned Shield in Wreath 1816 1824 20 Francs Charles X / Crowned Shield in Wreath 1825 1830 20 Francs Louis Philippe Bare Head / Value in Wreath 1830 1831 20 Francs Louis Philippe Laureate Head / Value in Wreath 1832 1846 20 Francs Angel / Value in Wreath 1848 1849 20 Francs Head of République / Value in Wreath 1849 1851 20 Francs Louis Napoleon Bonaparte / Value in Wreath 1852 1852 20 Francs Napoleon III / Value in Wreath 1853 1860 20 Francs Napoleon III / Shield 1861 1870 20 Francs Angel / Value in Wreath 1871 1898 20 Francs Ceres / Cockerel (Rooster) Edge DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE 1899 1906 20 Francs Ceres / Cockerel (Rooster) Edge LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE 1906 1914 The other coin that is not easy to find is the 1899 Rooster. I wonder if GD has that one as well.
Actually I found it quite by accident on another coin forum - a member was asking what it was. The long and short of it is I offered to buy it - he agreed.
Well Congrads and I guess all those hrs on the internet paid off in an unexpected way. Hope the transaction ends smoothly and effortlessly.
