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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;chrisild, post: 1955963, member: 39&quot;]The Hercules design is about as old as the French Republic - it was first issued (as a piece of 5 francs) in 1795. The coin was originally designed by Augustin Dupré, with later modifications. As far as I know, Hercules was used as a symbol of power - note that he has the Nemean Lion &quot;mask&quot; on. Just as the mythological figure successfully fought against various beasts and enemies, the young republic had to fight the old régime.</p><p><br /></p><p>The two women are personifications of the Republic (Phrygian cap) and Justice. Originally the motto on the Hercules coin was <i>Union et Force</i>; after the 1848 revolution that was replaced by <i>Liberté Égalité Fraternité.</i> Also, the pole with the Phrygian cap was modified in later years - see your design. Today the cap is on Liberty&#039;s head. Here are two quite different Hercules coins, the first one and the current one:</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/5_F_Union_et_Force_C_des_M.jpg/640px-5_F_Union_et_Force_C_des_M.jpg" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/5_F_Union_et_Force_C_des_M.jpg/640px-5_F_Union_et_Force_C_des_M.jpg" rel="nofollow">https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/5_F_Union_et_Force_C_des_M.jpg/640px-5_F_Union_et_Force_C_des_M.jpg</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.monnaiedeparis.fr/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Monnaie-Front-Site/Monnaie/fr_FR/Produits/Recto/10041281930000-ZoomRecto.jpg" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.monnaiedeparis.fr/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Monnaie-Front-Site/Monnaie/fr_FR/Produits/Recto/10041281930000-ZoomRecto.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://www.monnaiedeparis.fr/is-bin/intershop.static/WFS/Monnaie-Front-Site/Monnaie/fr_FR/Produits/Recto/10041281930000-ZoomRecto.jpg</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Today the silver €10 coin with the Hercules group does not actually circulate, and is not legal tender anywhere in the euro area except France. But it can be had at face ...</p><p><br /></p><p>Christian[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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