France - Napoleon (Consul)
In November 1799, Napoleon was elected as First Consul and then he was declared Consul for life in August 1802. Shortly after his first coins were minted.
Coinage of this period follows the French Republican calendar, which is defined starting 22 September 1792 (the day after the First French Republic was declared) as the beginning of the first year (AN 1). French coinage used the latin numerals (i.e., 8, 9, 10), but for the coinage in year 11, Napoleon directed the mint to use the roman numeral “XI” instead. He was concerned that AN 11 resembled AN II, the year of the Reign of Terror and the association would make for inauspicious symbolism for his first coins.
The coinage standard used in Napoleon’s first French coins was formalized in April 1803. Thus, year ANXI (11) coins were minted over about five months.
| Year | Period |
|---|---|
| ANXI (11) | April 1803 - 23 Sept 1803 |
| AN12 | 24 Sept 1803 - 23 Sept 1804 |
Circulation Coins
Certain images are clickable for more detail
40 Francs
5 Francs
2 Francs
1 Franc
Demi Franc (1/2 Franc)
Quart (1/4 Franc)
< 20 Francs AN XI - Finest Examples >
Napoleon I’s first coin (AN XI) had a limited mintage of 58,262 and is by far the lowest mintage of any of his coin types. The coins were minted between April 1803 (declaration of the standard) and September 1803 (end of AN XI).
Only six are graded mint state (PCGS SP65+, MS63 x2; NGC MS63 x1, MS62 x1, MS61 x1).
Originally Compiled 4 November 2024
PCGS SP65+ Cameo
(Image: Stacks Aug 2024)
PCGS MS63
(Image: Stacks Aug 2025 / PCGS)
NGC MS63
(Image: NGC / Vinchon Dec 2023)
PCGS MS62
(Newly added 2025)
(Image: Farrando Apr 2025)
PCGS MS63
(Image: Unknown x1)
NGC MS62
(Image: MDC Oct 2020, Dorotheum Nov 2019)
NGC MS61
(Image: Numisor Oct 2022)
Ungraded “SPL”
(Image: Varesi Apr 2013)
Ungraded “EF62”
(Image: cgb Dec 2002)
< 20 Francs AN 12 - Finest Examples >
With a mintage of 988,244, the Premier Consul AN12 is one of the less common Napoleon I types.
It is extremely rare in high grades. There are 40 examples graded in mint state (16 in PCGS and 24 in NGC, including at least one appearing in both).
Originally Compiled 4 November 2024
NGC MS64
(Image: Stacks Apr 2005)
PCGS MS63
(Image: Gadoury Oct 2023)
PCGS MS63
(Crossover from NGC MS63)
(Image: PCGS / Tyrant Collection / CNG Aug 2014)
PCGS MS63
(Newly Graded 2025)
(Image: Stacks Mar 2025)
PCGS MS63
(Image: Unknown 1x)
NGC MS63
(Image: MDC Jun 2025)
NGC MS63
(Image: MDC Oct 2024)
PCGS MS62
(Image: PCGS / Vinchon Dec 2023)
PCGS MS62
(Image: MDC Oct 2023)
PCGS MS62
(Image: Unknown 4x)
PCGS MS62
(Image: PCGS / Stacks Aug 2025)
NGC MS62
(Image: Heritage Nov 2024)
NGC MS62
(Image: Gadoury Mar 2023)
NGC MS62
(Image: Atlas 2024)
NGC MS62
(Image: Heritage Sep 2014)
NGC MS62
(Image: Gadoury Oct 2021)
NGC MS62
(Image: Unknown 4x)
Ungraded UNC
(Image: NAC Dec 2022)
Ungraded UNC
(Image: Varesi Nov 2018)
Ungraded UNC
(Image: Hess-Divo Dec 2018)
Ungraded “Sup/FDC”
(Image: Elsen Dec 2017)
Ungraded
(Image: Cgb Jun 2016)
Ungraded “Superb”
(Image: Numismatica Genevensis Dec 2006)
< Error Coins >
Ungraded Rare Error (Mirror)
(Image: Heritage Jan 2019)