🪙 About the 1998 10 Centimes Coin

Issued under the Fifth Republic, this coin showcases “La Semeuse” (the Sower), an enduring national symbol of liberty, labor, and renewal. Designed by Oscar Roty, the image originally appeared on silver coins in the early 20th century.

Specifications:

• Country: France

• Denomination: 10 Centimes

• Year: 1998

• Composition: Aluminium-bronze

• Weight: 4.5 grams

• Diameter: 19 mm

• Edge: Smooth

• Obverse: La Semeuse sowing seeds, inscription “République Française”

• Reverse: Value (10 Centimes), date, and the national motto “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”

🕰 Historical Insight

In 1998, France was preparing to join the Eurozone, and the franc — its proud national currency for centuries — was in its final chapter. The coin embodies both the legacy of the franc and the forward-looking optimism of a united Europe.

🧭 Collecting Note

This coin is a farewell token from France’s pre-euro economy. Though modest in value, it represents a pivotal moment in European monetary history and is a nostalgic piece for those who used the franc in everyday life.