FRANCE. Empire. Silver 100 Francs Essai (Pattern) Restrike, "1807" (ca. 1830). Paris Mint. Napoleon I. PCGS SPECIMEN-62.Maz-601; Gad-1118.(a); T&T-1090.a.2. By Gerolamo Vassallo. Designed to commemorate the opening of the Genoa Mint. Emanating from a series of facing-head patterns for Napoléon, the original intent of this design was to celebrates the Genoa Mints opening. In this particular case, the present example is a slightly later restrike using Vassallos dies in Paris. Indeed, one can discern die rust on and around the emperors portrait on the obverse. The authors of T&T cite Conbrouse (1841), noting that Paris maintained the dies and that strikings occurred around 1830 across three metal types. Regardless of its manufacture, <em>be it 1807 or a few decades later</em>, it cannot de denied that this particular type in silver is indeed <strong>EXTREMELY RARE</strong> and exceptionally important.<strong>To view all items from the Richard Margolis Collection, click <a href="https://auctions.stacksbowers.com/lots?sort=auction_date_lot_number_asc&search=Richard+Margolis+Collection&limit=96&lots_range=upcoming"> here.</a></strong>From the Richard Margolis Collection (acquired from Franceschi/Spink in 1986 for $370).Ex: Druso Franceschi/Spink & Son (10/1986) Lot # 916.
