Here's a 5 Franc piece from Charles X (the man who commented he "would rather hew wood" than be a constitutional monarch) and ran up enormous bills during his short tenure as king.
Here's a 1920 Marianne, which is neither very old nor very rare, but I think one of the prettiest coins ever struck.
and finally some Vichy money, which is worth very little but I find historically interesting. Easily distinguished by the legend ETAT FRANCAIS (instead of Republique), and TRAVAIL, FAMILLE, PATRIE (work, family, fatherland) instead of LIBERTÉ EGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ (for which Petain apparently had little sympathy). To begin with, a 50 centimes piece.
... and here are 10- and 20-centimes. I found it interesting that the Vichy govt was apparently running out of aluminum to make coins with by 1943 (forget gold or silver).
Very nice coin although it does not really work as an inflation or price index. (See this chart for the past 100 years.) The latest version of the Hercules group design - see attachment - is on a €100 coin: Ag900, weight 50 g, Ø 47 mm ... Christian
Agreed! The Marianne's are one my favorite issues as well. Below is a link of my gold 20 franc collection with a brief history of the gold 20 Franc issues through the various types minted. I've been putting this type set together over the years, but since gold's spike in price, I've slowed down quite a bit. enjoy! http://www.coinsgbforum.com/index.php?showtopic=1155
Here are two of my more modern French coins: From the reign of King Louis XV 1748 W Louis d’or Conservatively graded by NGC as MS64 Design: OBVERSE: Bust of King Louis XV; Legend: “LUD• XV•D•G•FR• ET•NAV •REX •” [Louis XV, By the Grace of God, King of France and Navarre] ~ REVERSE: A crown over two oval shields (France and Navarre) and below a “W” denoting the mint. Legend: “CHRS•REGN•VINC•IMPER♦1748” [Christ Reigns, Overcomes and Commands] Mint: Lille (W) Mintage: 209,850 References: KM #513.22 / Fr. 467 Specifications: Diameter – 24.0mm Weight – 8.1580 g. @ 0.9170 Gold = .2405 oz AGW Notes: ➢ King Louis XV was also known as the “Well Beloved”. During the reign of Louis XV (1715-1774), France was in an era of prosperity and economic development; at the same time experiencing an extreme enlightenment of arts, literature and science. ➢ This coin is also known as an “Louis d’or au bandeau" ➢ Mint Director’s Privy Mark – “Heron” = Jean Dupeyron de LaCoste ➢ Notice this coin has no hay marks or weight adjustment scrapes …. Nice!! ** A special note about this coin .... It has a Doug Prather (GDJMSP) pedigree From the reign of Napoleon III 1864 50 Franc Graded NGC MS-62 Design: OBVERSE: Bust of Napoleon III w/ laurel wreath on head and a ribbon going down his shoulder, inscription “NAPOLEON III EMPEREUR”, below bust is the name of the mint director “BARRE” Albert Desire. ~ REVERSE: Imperial Arms, centered with an eagle standing on a thunderbolt surrounded by the Collar of the Legion of Honor stitched on two scepters (Hand of Justice and scepter of Charlemagne) posed in saltire, resting on a hanging decorated with mouchetures with ermine inside and bees outside and summoned of an imperial crown from which two ribbons flow. Flanking the base of the Arms is the valve “50 FR”. The mint letter “A” (Paris), date and privy mark of the engraver general (Anchor = Engraver General = Albert-Desire Barre) are below the arms between the ends of the scepters. The Legend reads “EMPIRE FRANCAIS”. Mint: Paris Mintage: 28,862 References: KM #804.1 / Fr.582 Specifications: Diameter – 27.97mm Weight – 16.1290 g. @ 0.9000 Gold = .4667 oz AGW Notes: ➢ Minted during the Second Empire of France, which started in 1852 when Napoleon III (Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon I, and son of Louis Bonaparte who was King of Holland (1806-1810) was elected President of France and soon after a coup d’état dissolved the Republican Assembly and Louis was proclaimed Emperor of France. This period ended in 1870 when France was defeated in the Franco-Prussian War. A new Modern Republic began. He was exiled in Kent where he died in 1821. ➢ This coin also has raised stars and a motto on engraved in its edge, DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE [God Protect France]
Wow, spectacular! Especially the Louis d'Or. I know the face from the Ecu, but have never seen this Louis before.
Thank you all for sharing. Really enjoyed viewing your coins. France is my favorite for modern coins.
That's quite an impressive collection! Congratulations! I've only got the 1 Napoleon, but if I win the lottery someday, maybe I'll get some more gold coins (mind you, every one I already bought has already proven to be a fine investment).
So, if a sou was 12 deniers (=pennies), then a sou = a shilling! And here I always thought a sou was a coin of little worth. And of course, 1 livre = 1 pound. All according to Charlemagne.
French colonial coins Here I can offer some French colonial issues. Francs from Algeria, and from "Territoire des Afars et Issas" (today called Djibouti).
Here are a few from my collection...all with some arguable level of American colonial relevance, cause that's my thing...
I got it a few days ago. It's a 5-centimes coin of Napoleon III. Very high condition (XF-Unc) for a coins of that type. I have searched such a high grade during a several years.
