A rare collection of over a thousand gold coins, amassed by the late French numismatist Paul Narce, was auctioned in Paris for approximately 3.8 million dollars (about 3 million euros), far exceeding pre-auction estimates of around 2.3 million euros. The auction, held at the Beaussant Lefèvre auction house, captivated collectors and historians alike with its array of coins spanning several eras of French history.
The collection was discovered hidden within the walls of Narce's rural home in Castillonnès, France. A notary, conducting investigations at Narce's house after his death, found the coins concealed in a sealed chest behind a painting in a storage room, according to the New York Post. The chest was hidden alongside fishing rods and gardening tools, and the discovery astonished even seasoned experts.
The cache is highly valued for its rarity and historical importance. It features a near-complete series of coins from the reigns of French Kings Louis XIV, Louis XV, and Louis XVI, including notable items such as the very rare *louis d'or à la croisette* from Louis XIII and sixty-three gold coins of Louis XIV. Among the notable pieces are ancient coins from the Kingdom of Macedonia, dating back to 336-323 BCE, and coins minted just before King Louis XVI's execution by guillotine in 1793.
"I have never seen such a major collection go on sale from the point of view of quantity and quality," said coin expert Thierry Parsy, according to the New York Post. "The sale of this exceptional set is therefore a real event." Parsy added, "Narce knew what he was buying," emphasizing the numismatist's discerning eye for valuable coins.
The collection also includes ten fabric pouches, each containing 172 gold 20-franc coins known as Napoléons, equivalent to a gold ingot per pouch. These coins were meticulously labeled, reflecting Narce's dedication to his hobby.
Narce, born in 1934, dedicated his life to building this collection over several decades, preferring to collect rare pieces rather than accumulate great wealth. He lived a modest and frugal life, with villagers noting that he did not travel much and was seldom seen indulging in luxuries. He had no direct descendants and ended his days in a retirement home after the death of his sister Claudette a year prior.
"They were very polite, very modest people who lived in an ordinary house," said Mayor Pierre Sicaud of Castillonnès, according to the New York Post. "Never would we have thought that." The Narce siblings lived an unassuming life in their village home, a stone's throw from the mairie, with the treasure hidden from the world.
After Narce's passing, the notary handling his estate learned from neighbors about his passion for coins. This prompted a detailed search of the house, leading to the discovery. "It could have remained undiscovered forever had the notary not heard of Narce's hobby from local villagers," said Parsy.
The proceeds from the auction will reportedly go to distant cousins of Narce, as he had no direct heirs. The collection was sold alongside that of his sister Claudette, who was also a numismatist. Her collection included silver coins from the constitutional period to the French State, adding further historical depth to the auction.
Written with the help of a news-analysis system.