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Auction: 330 - A Selection of Fine World Coins and Medals at NY INC, Waldorf Astoria
Lot: 246

Italy Naples & Sicile, Joachim Murat (1808-1815)

1810 40 franchi, mint, gold, obv. head left, legend GIOACCHINO NAPOLEONE RE DEL éDUE SICI , rev. legend PRINéE GRAND’ AMMIéDI FRANé and a laurel wreath with in the center FRANCHI / 40.

ref. CNI 40, MIR 438, Pagani 54. Pannuti Riccio 8. V.G. 2244. Friedberg 858.


Extremely rare. According to MIR there are only 18 known of both variety types. PCGS XF40.



The 1810 gold 40 franchi were striked as presentation pieces and trial experimentation in 1810 prior to the law edicting a decimal monetary system on May 19, 1811, which explains its extreme rarity. Napoleon wanted to create the first European monetary standard, which was based on a new decimal system ("Francs", "Franchi") shared throughout his empire. These coins (also referred to as "napoléonides" depicted portraits of the Emperor or of his relatives such as Jérôme Bonaparte in Westphalia, Joseph Bonaparte in Spain or Joachim Murat in Naples.



Two mint engravers, Achille Arnaud and Nicolo Morghen (also called"Nicolo Margheri). were entrusted the task to compete for the final design of the 40 franchi with the portrait of the new king of Naples and Sicile.

The later finally won the approval of the Mint Master, and his type beared his initials in the cut of the neck of Joachim Murat. ("N.M.".

This amazingly conserved gold piece is from the other type without the N.M., and is believed to be the even rarest variety of the two.


An amazing ultra-rarity gold coin and a historical piece testifying the first attempt to establish the first decimal European-wide coinage system, with only three specimens appearing at auction in the last 15 years.


compare Numismatica Ars Classica (auction 35, lot 289) where an Fine/BB example sold in December 2006 for CHF 30,000.















PCGS XF40

Sold for
$80,000