France: Napoleon III gold Proof Piefort Essai 100 Francs 1861★ PR64 Ultra Cameo NGC,...

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Mar 25, 2021 for:

$288,000.00 Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

Spectacular 1861 Piefort Essai 100 Francs

Napoleon III gold Proof Piefort Essai 100 Francs 1861★ PR64 Ultra Cameo NGC, Paris mint, KM-Unl., Gad-1136, Maz-1602a (R5), cf. VG-3574 (weight not listed). Plain edge. 42.82gm. Obv. Laureate head of Napoleon III right with small 5 pointed star over center of BARRE below the portrait. Rev. Crowned Imperial arms with date and value. A design that was adopted and made for circulation beginning in 1862, this iconic presentation issue is known in weights of 32.25gm and a special piefort weight of 42.82gm (this specimen). At present, this is the only example to have been certified by either NGC or PCGS, and we can find no auction records of this overweight type since it was offered by Numismatica Genevensis in 2002, though Gadoury illustrates a piece for which it cites Maison Palombo. While we have not been able to trace that specimen, and we hesitate to call this piece "unique," its supreme rarity can hardly be doubted, and quite likely exceeds even the R5 rating assigned by Mazard. In terms of its visual appearance, even its stunning PR64 Ultra Cameo designation seems somewhat conservative, as hardly a flaw can be discerned over its deeply mirrored fields. Essentially gem in quality, the care taken in the production of the offering is clear for all to see, with its devices deeply impressed and razor-sharp. A great rarity of Napoleon III on all counts, and perhaps the only chance one might have to acquire this amazing type. We note that the holder incorrectly states that this is Maz-1602 (the standard weight type).

Ex. Numismatic Genevensis Auction 2 (November 2002, Lot 432)

From the Paramount Collection

Metal: Gold
Diameter: 35.5mm

More information about French Coins. See also: France World Coin Nationality.

View Certification Details from NGC