Let's Collect World Coins - The Modern French 5 Franc Silver Coin
Louis Oscar Roty’s design "La Semeuse" might be his most well-known work outside of France, but the artist made many contributions to medallic art in his storied career.
Rosalina Pesce, a young woman from Paris, served as his model.
The design debuted on French coinage in 1897 and was part of a design overhaul that saw the Walking goddess on the 50 centime, 1, 2, and 5 franc coins.
The French moved away from the design in 1920 but brought it back on the franc in 1960 at the start of the 5th republic. Overtime, it would appear on other denominations as well.
This coin, a 5 franc coin dated 1964, is struck in .835 safer and comes from a mintage of over 32 million pieces. France would continue to strike the coin in silver through 1969. Starting in 1970, the denomination was struck in Nickel Clad Copper Nickel.
It has a value of about $25, maybe more because of the toning and because it is in a PCGS holder.
This was the last design France used for its franc coin before switching to the Euro. France has continued to honor the Roty design on its Euro coinage. But this modern series of coins issued from 1960 to 2000 are certainly worth your time and attention.