Just bought a clutch of them. Nice - pretty coins, durable at 0.900... You can tell because they are over 100 years old and have zero numismatic value!
You mean bonaparte or Napoleon III? Its easier to find Nap III in better quality. Nice work either way
I am partial to the 10 francs. Like the gold pesos from Mexico, I find them around spot most of the time. I think they are a good choice for gold if they are priced right.
I saw some nap 1 20 and 40 francs but I never saw them for less than about 30% over spot (probably more since the drop). I'd really like some but it's not the sort of thing my LCS carries.
LCS? Last Chance Saloon? Lover of Currency Selector? Little Cream Satchel? Little Coin Satchel? Little Coin Shop? Aahh... Local Coin Shop!
I had no idea what LCS was until recently either. Still a little disappointed on the napoleon front. When I was doing napoleon and revolutionary France last semester I would have loved to have one (I like to have something relating to each course I do). With the spot drop the cheapest I can find anywhere is a 40 franc boney the first for about 50% over spot. Certainly a great piece of history though at s great price if you can get them near spot as silver kendo suggests.
Ha. Fair comment. Bought six of them, but they are 'safe' - didn't think of photographing them before securing them. Next time I have them out, I'll take a pic and post it here.
In the past few months I've bought a few 10 francs (all Nap. III). The most I paid for one was $120 and the best price I got was $105. Most were right around $115. Spot right now is $115 for one of these coins so I feel like I'm doing good. These aren't in high grade numi condition but gold at or below spot works for me. JB3 glad there is another gold francs fan around!
I'm a fan of bonaparte as well and I've never seen the 10 francs. If anyone has either that they'd like to sell I'd be interested in talking with them, especially in March.
I have few "Naps". Only 20 Francs Napolons lll. I'm french and to have on my hands centenary historic coins to my country is just fantastic ! Many french web-store sell them (10 francs Nap too), but I don't know if they make international selling.
You should be able to pick up a low grade silver 5 Franc Napoleon I cheap enough 1811 A should be the cheapest in theory. I find the earlier ones with consul or the revolutionary year before the reversion to use of conventional dating most interesting. Nap III are sold widely from bullion dealers in France. Louis do'or and Nap I gold is well into numismatic territory in 90% of cases.