French Francs

Discussion in 'World Coins' started by Andy, Feb 22, 2004.

  1. Andy

    Andy Coin Collector

    I'm not a big fan of French politics of the last 50 years or so but I am in love with the passion of the Napoleon era and the spirit that followed for the next 100 years. Is there anyone out there who collects the French franc from 1802 to 1914, gold or silver? If so give me a reply and maybe we can compare notes on collecting the Franc.
     
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  3. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Andy -

    While I do not collect the franc specifically, I do collect some French coins. Among them the French rooster, the angel, a few of the essais of various time periods and select designs of other gold denominations that appeal to me.
     
  4. Andy

    Andy Coin Collector

    That French rooster always brings a smile to my face. Where do you locate your francs? I am currently looking for a rooster dated from or between 1899 to 1905 for my collection. I am currently taking my time and enjoying the process of making a complete set of 20 French francs with one coin each from the various date ranges from 1802 to 1914. I am also interested with the Denmark Mermaids but my disposal income isn't that disposable to buy to many coins at once.
     
  5. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Ahhhhh - you have hit upon another design I truly enjoy - the Mermaid ;) Since everyone may not be familiar with this coin - I'll even post a pic.

    [​IMG]

    As for where I find them - I find them all over. I buy some via internet auction, dealers, coin shows and live auctions. All that matters to me is that it is a design I like. I also do not limit myself to the 20 franc. I also like the 40 franc, 50 franc and 100 franc. But the 20 franc is my favorite ;)

    Here's a nice 40 franc -

    [​IMG]
     
  6. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    And here is another that I do not ( unfortunately ) get to buy so often. See what ya think of this one Andy ;)

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]
     
  7. Andy

    Andy Coin Collector

    Wow, wow and of course Wow. Museum type of coin to say the least. The face has so much detail and the luster does not say 1649. I am going to have to purchase the Krauss book to find out what I am looking at. Truly beautiful. Sorry about not commenting on the other coins other then wow but your last coin is well Wow. Thanks for the treat.
     
  8. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    While you're looking in the Krause - better look at 1648 - not 49 ;) That's ok though - I was kinda in that shape myself when I found that coin :D
     
  9. Ian

    Ian Coin Collector

    I collect french coinage mainly from the 1500's to the early 1900's. Although i'm not overly keen on modern french coins, I do have most of them by type and date up to the 1980's.

    As for the denomination called the franc, my collection starts with the large silver francs (livres d'argent) and demi francs first struck during the reign of Henri III in 1576. I think I have a fair collection of francs, their multiples and fractions and the various mints involved.

    I started off collecting the five and ten centimes pieces.....fool that I am.

    Now I collect french silver jetons. There is no hope for me.

    Ian
     
  10. Andy

    Andy Coin Collector

    Ian,Thanks for your post. Your collection sounds quite impressive. I am not in your league but I have the feeling that we have more then a few people out there who could have viewings at museums. It would be great to hear more from you on your collection. If possible, I wish to inquirer from you two things. One, do you know of any good coin stores in Europe that have an English language web page that I could order Napoleon era French coins from and two, what is the best scotch out there. I always get my Glens mixed up.
     
  11. Ian

    Ian Coin Collector


    I presume that by Napoleon you are refering to Bonaparte as opposed to Napoleon III . Not many shops/ stores stock these items because they sell just as quickly as they come in the door. Auctions are the places to find the stuff you are looking for.

    For starters try Jean Elsen (belgium) at http://www.elsen.be

    Also try Kricheldorf at http://www.kricheldorf.de

    Also H.D.Rauch at http://www/hdrauch.com

    Here's an excellent site you should definitely have a look at. It's French but has the option of english or french language. It isn't a `coin store' as such but their sales and auctions bring up some interesting stuff. Their literature however....superb!...but it's in french....I generally get by well enough to get what i'm looking for out of the books.

    http://www.cgb.fr/indexgb.html

    As to whisky......Talisker is king of the single malts (IMHO of course).

    If you ever have any queries on french coins within the periods I mentioned then that's my niche and I can possibly help.

    cheers.

    Ian
     
  12. Andy

    Andy Coin Collector

    Ian, thank you for your information about the whisky and oh yeah, the coins too. I really liked the site www.lefranc.net which came out of your recommended www.cgb.fr site. I am currently trying to collect all the different French 20 gold francs types from 1802 to 1914. My list shows a general grouping of 18 coins. So far it looks like the Bonaparte Premier Consul, Value in Wreath and Latin date will be quite expensive so I will take my time with that hunt. I was wondering if you ever came across the 20 Gold Franc Angel that was coined in the years 1848 to 1849. So far all my searchs have come up blank but then again I have only been doing this set for a few months for a few hours at a time. Hopefully the time will come when I complete this collection and then set my sites on the 40 franc Bonaparte gold francs. I know I could get more value with my money with the American gold ounce eagles but then that will be no fun and life should have some passion outside of marriage.
     
  13. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Andy -

    I'm curious as to why you think you can get more value with the American gold coins. Typically they are a good bit more expensive than the world gold. And in many cases the mintages of the American gold are even higher than those of Europe - sometimes much higher.
     
  14. Andy

    Andy Coin Collector

    Hi GDJMSP. Glad to talk with you again. I wouldn't want to butt heads with you after seeing a bit of your collection but you did inquire about my reasoning so I will try to explain it in this limited space. Basically I view gold coins as being collected for three reasons: 1. In case of economic caos, 2. To play the buy low/sell high gold market and have the higher transaction costs but control the coin vs having another piece of paper or account number. 3. To have the highest slabbed grades in the lowest mintages for investment in the future. Looking at these three reasons and then looking at a 20 french franc that has .1867 oz and can sell from $75 to $1000 based upon the year more then the grade then I see the uncirculated Bullion Eagle for 418, (with today's price for the ounce being around 401), as a better price for the ounce and to have a coin that more people in this part of the woods would know of could pay off as well. Of course I know that the South African Krug has a lower price but the recognition/trust factor should give the edge to the Eagle. Now I myself am not buying my French Francs for the investment value even if I do hope they will have a higher return for my children if they ever need to sell if off when they become heads of their own families. I am mainly caught in the passion of it. I'm sure my interests will turn to another coin in time but as long as I am faithful to my wife and control my spending then I guess it's ok to play the field with the coins. Oh it's ok if you disagree with me. After all you might be right as well. P.S. If anybody else is reading this let me inform you that I am not an expert in these matters and this was not advice but only a conversation.
     
  15. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    No problem Andy - I misunderstood you totally. I did not realize that you were talking about American Gold Eagles - I thought you were talking about pre 1933 American gold coins. They can be pretty expensive in many cases when compared to world gold coins of a comparable time frame.

    But since your primary interest seems to be the gold itself - and not the coin - then I would agree with you.
     
  16. Andy

    Andy Coin Collector

    GDJMSP, sorry for any confusion. I may seem complex but at closer look, I really am a simple man.
    I would like to collect some American Gold and I really am attracted to the 5 and 2 1/2 Indian Head Coins from 1908 -1928. However, I was thinking about purchasing American Eagles that were coined with my Childrens birthdates. I'm not sure if I should go with an IRA purchase and buy PCGS 69 ounces and betrust them to my kids when I'm gone so they could remember that they, with my wife, were my treasure or if I should buy bullion ounce eagles with thier dates as good luck life coins to carry after they turn 21. In any case the value of the purchase plus their young ages gives me time to think. Any suggestions where I could get the best price either way?
     
  17. sylvester

    sylvester New Member


    There's that coin again! I still like that coin... and the one in the post before. There's just something about Early Milled Gold!
     
  18. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator


    Well - it has been my experience that you can get as good a price on ebay as anywhere. But if you have a dealer nearby - you can get the coins there as well. Most dealers sell the coins for a percentage over spot and it usually varies little from one dealer to another.

    The graded coins on the other hand can and often do sell for premiums beyond what a dealer may charge. So that part of the decision is yours to make.
     
  19. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator


    If I have my way - and I usually do :D There will soon be another to join it. Just having a hard time making up my mind as to exactly which one. Decisions - decisions :rolleyes:
     
  20. Andy

    Andy Coin Collector

    GD, I hope you have your way. I am interested in where you hunt for your oh so special coins. You could let me know after you get it so no one bids it higher. Its for future reference, far future.
     
  21. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    Andy -

    There is a particular dealer I know that specializes in these coins. I'd be happy to provide you with his contact information - any time you wish ;)
     
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