France 1863 A Gold 5 Franc - NGC VF

Offered is a wonderful little 5 Franc gold coin issued in 1863, under the reign of Napoleon III, KM#803.1. The laureate head type, was minted in relatively reduced quantities, and subsequently melted en masse during the republic, making them a deceptively tricky type.

This example, struck in .900 AU, has an AGW of .0467oz, and retains lovely detail. A rich, old gold patina, and even wear make this a visually appealing piece, despite the bend (an endemic issue with these thin circulation coins) noted in NGC’s VF details notation. All in all, a very pleasing example of a ‘small gold’ type.