France 1, 2, and 5 Francs 1861 to 1870

Napoleon's 1, 2, and 5 franc silver coins all have the same pattern shown here, but the size, of course, is different from denomination to denomination. In general these are valuable coins, with catalog values as follows:

1 FRANC, 22 mm diameter, 0.134 troy ounces silver
worn: $10 US dollars catalog value
average circulated: $20
well preserved: $45
fully uncirculated: $150

2 FRANCS, 26 mm diameter, 0.268 troy ounces silver
worn: $15 US dollars catalog value
average circulated: $40
well preserved: $120
fully uncirculated: $280

5 FRANCS, 37 mm diameter, 0.723 troy ounces silver
worn: $15 US dollars catalog value
average circulated: $35
well preserved: $140
fully uncirculated: $380

Be sure you understand what 'catalog value' means. Use our Important Terminology page. Note that the coin in our picture has weak deformations in the metal near the rim. This lowers value.

DO NOT CLEAN YOUR COIN. CLEANING RUINS VALUE.

Beware also that this coin is heavily counterfeited. Sad to say, counterfeiting rare coins is a big business, and the crooks don't make copies of inexpensive coins. They focus on the valuable ones like this.

Not only that, Purple1's coin has been heavily polished, which lowers collector value to zero. The give-away is that Purple1 says the coin is 'worn' and looks 'shiney or polished.' With such damage the coin is worth only its weight in silver. Use kitco.com to look up the current value of silver per troy ounce.
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