MONTENEGRO. Napoleonic Wars. Siege of Cattaro (Kotor). Franc, 1813. Napoleon I. NGC AU-53.
KM-1; Korchnak-170; Mailliet-pl. XXV #4; van Gelder-2317; Pag-293; MO-4.16.1.3. Siege: 24 September 1813 - 4 January 1814. Obverse: Crowned N, 1.F. below, all within wreath; Reverse: legend in two-lines, wreath below; Legend: CATTARO/1813. A charming example of this RARE cast siege issue, the present specimen delivers strong details and limited instances of actual handling on the surfaces. A supremely elusive issue, and our first offering of this denomination. By the time Austria declared war on France, the British Navy had gained control of the Adriatic Sea and moved to expel the French occupants of Cattaro. Instead of sailing straight to Cattaro harbor, the British setup a blockade, captured several nearby smaller islands and setup and installed battlements. After weeks of preparation, on Christmas day bombardment of the city commenced. Realizing that reinforcements weren't coming, the French commander Gauthier surrendered.

Estimate: $1200.00- $1800.00