France 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, and 5 Francs 1802 to 1804

The French Republic (Republique Francaise) formed in 1793. Shortly thereafter Napoleon Bonaparte staged a coup wherein he declared himself First Consul (Premier Consul) for life. Not satisfied, he had himself proclaimed emperor of France and Italy in 1804. But the Russians did him in during military campaigns beginning in 1812, and Napoleon ultimately met his defeat at the hands of the Duke of Wellington and an allied Prussian army at the battle of Waterloo (in present-day Belgium) in 1815. The coins under consideration on this page are from Napoleon's years as first consul AN11 (AN XI) and AN12, which correspond to dates between 1802 and 1804.

The coin in our picture is an amazing specimen. You do not usually see them this nice. It is from Leipziger Münzhandlung und Auktion in Leipzig, Germany where it sold for 1200 euros (about $1600 US dollars) during a 2008 auction. CoinQuest thanks Leipziger Münzhandlung for use of their coin photo. It is a beauty! Coins in worse shape, with wear, weak strike, and possibly darkenings and stains, will be worth much less.

Our listings below are approximate. The mint mark is easily found on the side with the wreath.

1/4 FRANC (QUART):
worn: $30 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $100
well preserved: $200
fully uncirculated: $400
Quarts dated AN 12 with mint marks BB and D are more rare; multiply these values by two

1/2 FRANC (DEMI):
worn: $15 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $150
well preserved: $350
fully uncirculated: $800
Demis dated AN 12 with mint marks BB, G, H, and U are more rare; multiply these values by three

FRANC:
worn: $35 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $200
well preserved: $450
fully uncirculated: $1200
Francs dated AN 12 with mint marks BB, G, and U are more rare; multiply these values by two
Francs dated AN IX with mint marks G and W are more rare; multiply these values by two

2 FRANCS:
worn: $50 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $250
well preserved: $650
fully uncirculated: $1400
2 francs dated AN 12 with mint marks BB and D are very rare; multiply these values by four
2 francs dated AN 12 with mint marks G and W are more rare; multiply these values by two

5 FRANCS:
worn: $30 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $250
well preserved: $750
fully uncirculated: $1800
5 francs dated AN 12 with mint mark G is very rare; multiply these values by five
5 francs dated AN XI with mint marks D and T are more rare; multiply these values by two

All the values on this page are catalog values. You must read our Terminology page to understand catalog values. Coins usually, but not always, trade at levels below catalog.
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