The January New York International Numismatic Convention andthe Showcase Auction held by Stack's Bowers Galleries will usherin 2017 for numismatists from around the world. Coin dealers andcollectors based here in the United States will also be inattendance at the historic Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan fora week's worth of lectures, auctions and other show activities.In anticipation of this event, we begin previewing highlightcoins from the auction on our blog here, and distributed throughour newsletter email.

The inaugural coin has a very small mintage and a fantastichistory. This coin was produced in modern day Croatia, on theDalmatian coast during the Napoleonic Wars. Towards the end of1813, as the Allied forces arrayed against Napoleon pushed himback towards France, the fringes of the French Empire werebeginning to crumble. The French held territories on the Adriaticcoast of the Balkan Peninsula (known as the Illyrian Provinces)were now vulnerable to attack by the British Navy and theirAustrian allies.

During the siege of Zara, the French garrison - led by BaronClaude Roize - struck emergency coinage. Though the siege lastedfor only two weeks, three denominations were created. They allshare a basic design, with the example in our upcoming saledenominated at 9 Francs and 20 Centimes, the middle denomination.The obverse features a crowned slender eagle standing atop athunderbolt facing right, with "ZARA" at the left wing and thedate of "1813" on the right. The design is encapsulated within adiamond border. The reverse displays the denomination in a squarestamp; "9f. 20c." with "2. O." above indicating (about) twoounces of silver. Overall this piece displays some sharp detailsin the stamps and is well preserved. This provides a fantasticview into the daily life of a besieged French soldier during theEmpire of Napoleon.

To read the complete article, see:
Incredible Siege Coinage from the Napoleonic Era(www.stacksbowers.com/News/Pages/Blogs.aspx?ArticleID=2273)