1974 France 9-pc Silver Piedfort Set w/Original Box BU

Rare 1974 French Piedfort Nine-Piece Coin Set

What you have here is a beautiful and rare 1974 nine-piece set of French Silver Piedfort coins in Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition. What’s more, it’s available still in its original mint box! They’re all there, iconic images of Marianne, the national personification of the French Republic, in a variety of poses along with other symbols of France.

Massive, Extra Thick Coins

These are massive, extra thick coins struck in 92.5% to 95% fine silver, which explains their piedfort designation. Piedfort coins were first recorded in France and Great Britain during the Middle Ages, with the first French piedforts appearing in the 12th century. The reason the coins were minted in piedfort form was (probably) to prevent them from being lost among normal circulating coins.

Extremely Limited Mintages

Mintages for these coins were very limited, ranging from 96 to 987. In this remarkable set, you’ll receive: 1 Centime (95% silver, 15 mm, 4.4 grams, mintage 242); 5 Centimes (95% silver, 17 mm, 5 grams, mintage 96); 10 Centimes (95% silver, 20 mm, 7.6 grams, Mintage 246); 20 Centimes (95% silver, 23.5 mm, 10.27 grams, mintage 247); Half-Franc (95% silver, 19.5 mm, 11 grams, mintage 241); 1 Franc (95% silver, 24 mm, 15 grams, mintage 246); 5 Francs (95% silver, 29 mm, 20 grams mintage 245); 10 Francs (92.5% silver, 26 mm, 23.2 grams, mintage 491); and 50 Francs (92.5% silver, 41 mm, 60 grams, mintage 982).

Later, the higher rarity of piedfort versions of a nation’s coinage led to them being used as prestigious diplomatic gifts to kings, nobility, dignitaries, and other VIPs. Limited availability, secure yours now.