1825 France 5 Francs Essai — Charles X Visit of the Duchesse de Berry & Prince de Salerne (MAZ-900, NGC MS63)

1825 France 5 Francs Essai — Charles X Visit of the Duchesse de Berry & Prince de Salerne (MAZ-900, NGC MS63)

Description:

A rare and historically significant essai (pattern) 5 Francs struck to commemorate the royal visit to the Paris Mint on July 22, 1825.

Obverse: Laureate head of Charles X, King of France, facing left.

Reverse: Commemorative inscription recording the visit.

Full Translation of the Reverse:

“LL. AA. RR. LE PRINCE DE SALERNE, MADAME, DUCHESSE DE BERRY VISITENT LA MONNAIE DE PARIS LE 22 JUIL. 1825”

(“Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Salerno, Madame the Duchess of Berry visit the Mint of Paris on the 22nd of July 1825.”)

Graded NGC MS63, this example retains strong detail and attractive surfaces for a pattern issue.

Key Specifications:

•  Country: France (Bourbon Restoration)

•  Year: 1825

•  Denomination: 5 Francs (Essai / Pattern)

•  Composition: Silver 0.900

•  Weight: 25 grams

•  Diameter: 37 mm

•  Reference: MAZ-900

•  Designer: Nicolas-Pierre Tiolier

•  Grading Service: NGC

•  Grade: MS 63

•  Certification Number: 6924407-004

Historical Context:

This coin was struck during the Bourbon Restoration, the period after the fall of Napoleon Bonaparte when the French monarchy was restored. Charles X (reigned 1824–1830) was the last Bourbon king of France and brother to both Louis XVI (guillotined during the Revolution) and Louis XVIII.

The visit commemorated here was made by Marie-Caroline de Bourbon-Siciles, Duchesse de Berry, and her brother Leopold, Prince of Salerno. The Duchesse de Berry was the widow of the Duc de Berry (Charles X’s son), who had been assassinated in 1820. She became a central figure in the legitimist (royalist) cause and later attempted to spark a rebellion to restore the Bourbon dynasty after the July Revolution of 1830 that overthrew Charles X.

The Paris Mint visit was a prestigious royal event meant to showcase French craftsmanship and monarchical prestige in the post-Napoleonic era. These “visit coins” or pièces de plaisir were produced in limited numbers as prestigious souvenirs — far rarer than regular circulation strikes. The conservative, ultra-royalist policies of Charles X’s reign represented a deliberate reaction against the liberal and revolutionary changes brought by Napoleon and the Revolution.

Graded MS63, this is an attractive and highly desirable example of a scarce pattern from a pivotal moment in French history. A true rarity and an exceptional piece!

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Coin pictured will be the exact one you will receive.