Apr 17, 2026 10:00 EST
Coins, Bank Notes, Stamps & Collectibles
64
France. 1868-E 5 Francs Gold Essai. PCGS SP-62.
Property of a Boca Raton Private Collector
A truly remarkable French rarity, this 1868 essai very closely mimics the design of business-strike gold issues of the period 1862-1869. Extremely rare. Quite possibly the first auction offering of this specific essai issue in decades. Another offering may be many years away.
The larger gold denominations of 1868 essais have appeared occasionally at auction over the last 25 years; a complete example of the smallest gold denomination has not. A uniface gilt-copper impression of the obverse of the 1868 five-franc denomination was offered in a 2022 MDC sale, and two gilt-bronze uniface impressions of the reverse were offered in the mid-2010s at different auction houses. Scouring auction databases does not reveal a sale of a complete 1868 five-Franc gold essai in the last decades.
This is the only example listed of the Maz-1629 in PCGS' Population Report. NGC's Census likewise lists a single example, in PF-64.
The coin sports a star privy mark similar to other 1868-E-dated gold essais, and a Prooflike appearance. Numerous contact marks and discoloration on the lower-right of the reverse limit its eye appeal somewhat, but these trivial flaws detract only marginally from this significant rarity.
Maz-1629; PCGS #: 505929
Sold for $33,275
Estimated at $10,000 - $20,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
Property of a Boca Raton Private Collector
A truly remarkable French rarity, this 1868 essai very closely mimics the design of business-strike gold issues of the period 1862-1869. Extremely rare. Quite possibly the first auction offering of this specific essai issue in decades. Another offering may be many years away.
The larger gold denominations of 1868 essais have appeared occasionally at auction over the last 25 years; a complete example of the smallest gold denomination has not. A uniface gilt-copper impression of the obverse of the 1868 five-franc denomination was offered in a 2022 MDC sale, and two gilt-bronze uniface impressions of the reverse were offered in the mid-2010s at different auction houses. Scouring auction databases does not reveal a sale of a complete 1868 five-Franc gold essai in the last decades.
This is the only example listed of the Maz-1629 in PCGS' Population Report. NGC's Census likewise lists a single example, in PF-64.
The coin sports a star privy mark similar to other 1868-E-dated gold essais, and a Prooflike appearance. Numerous contact marks and discoloration on the lower-right of the reverse limit its eye appeal somewhat, but these trivial flaws detract only marginally from this significant rarity.
Maz-1629; PCGS #: 505929
Auction: Coins, Bank Notes, Stamps & Collectibles, Apr 17, 2026
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Successful Auction of Coins, Stamps, Bank Notes & Collectibles on April 17, 2026
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A Near-Unique 1868-E 5 Francs Gold Essai Achieves $33,275
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for Complimentary Auction Estimates of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY – Doyle held a successful auction of Coins, Stamps, Bank Notes & Collectibles on April 17, 2026 that delivered strong results amid international bidding. Collectors and enthusiasts vied for a wide range of United States and World numismatic rarities from collections in the New York area and other regions of the country.
1868 5 Franc Gold Essai
Highlighting the sale was a French numismatic rarity—a near-unique 5 franc gold essai from 1868 that sailed past its $10,000-20,000 estimate to realize $33,275 amid trans-Atlantic bidding. The essai, or test coin, was part of a small group of similar pieces produced at the Paris Mint in 1868. They are comparable to pattern coins used to evaluate new designs, compositions, and minting techniques. Like pattern coins, essais are often extremely rare and highly collectible. This example is cataloged as Maz-1629, named for Jean Mazard (1900–1984), a French jurist and numismatist whose works on 18th, 19th and 20th century French coinage include a reference on essais. The current example is the only Maz-1629 reported in PCGS’ Population Report, and NGC’s Census also reports a single example.
1900 Hawaii Postal System
Also noteworthy was a fascinating group of ephemera and correspondence related to the transition from an independent Hawaiian postal system to a United States territorial one in 1900. The lot was anchored by two postal money orders—the last issued under the Hawaiian Republic on June 13 and the first issued under the new U.S. administration on June 14. This postal rarity of the 50th state more than doubled its $5,000-10,000, selling for $20,570.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
