French 20 Centimes Coin, Marianne Type, 1989
Coin / Numismatic Object · Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint), the official mint of the French Republic with roots dating back to 864 AD.
Pattern: Marianne / Lagriffoul-Dieudonné design; introduced in 1962, produced until 2001.
Type
Coin / Numismatic Object
Maker
Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint), the official mint of the French Republic with roots dating back to 864 AD.
Material
Aluminum-Bronze (92% Copper, 6% Aluminum, 2% Nickel). Note: Contains no actual silver despite the metallic appearance.
Dimensions
Diameter: 23.5 mm; Thickness: 1.4 mm; Weight: 4.0 grams.
Description
A standard circulating French 20 Centimes coin. The golden hue of the aluminum-bronze alloy is often mistaken for silver-plated base metal or gold, though it is a utilitarian alloy. The reverse features a prominent '20' flanked by an olive branch (symbolizing peace) and a stalk of wheat (symbolizing fertility and prosperity).
Key Features
Bold '20' denomination; national motto 'Liberte Egalite Fraternite'; 1989 date; characteristic yellow-brown oxidation of aluminum-bronze.
Material & Composition
Aluminum-Bronze (92% Copper, 6% Aluminum, 2% Nickel). Note: Contains no actual silver despite the metallic appearance.
Finish & Decoration
Business strike with a low-relief matte finish. Features the olive branch and wheat ear on the reverse; the obverse depicts the profile of Marianne.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Cornucopia (Paris Mint mark) and a Dolphin (engraver Emile Rousseau's mark). Reverse inscribed 'LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE'.
Construction Details
Industrial machine-struck / die-pressed coin from a prepared planchet with a smooth edge.
Functional Features
Decimal currency unit (1/5 of a Franc); durable alloy designed for frequent manual circulation.
Handle & Grip Details
None; smooth-edged rim for tactile differentiation in pocket change.
Craftsmanship Details
Mass-produced industrial coinage. Engraving by Henri Lagriffoul (obverse) and Dieudonné (reverse) shows excellent balance despite commercial strike quality.
Authentication Indicators
Die-consistent typography; official mint marks (cornucopia); correct weight and dimensions for the Lagriffoul type issue.
Origin & Manufacturing
Pessac, France; Monnaie de Paris facility utilizing high-speed automated coin presses.
Era & Period
Fifth French Republic (1958-present); specifically the pre-Euro modern era.
Age Estimate
Dated 1989; 35 years old at the time of this assessment.
Cultural Significance
Represented the daily commerce of the French people for four decades. The centime was a symbol of French economic stability following the currency reforms of De Gaulle.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good (VG). Shows significant surface wear, numerous handling marks ('bag marks'), and moderate tarnish characteristic of circulation.
Value Estimate
Face value is now zero (demonetized). Numismatic value is approximately $0.10 to $0.50 USD in this circulated condition.
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean with silver polish as it is not silver. Keep dry to prevent verdigris (green oxidation). Store in a non-PVC coin flip.
Similar Pieces
10 Centimes (smaller, same material) and 50 Centimes (larger, same material); often confused with the silver 5 Franc Semeuse which is actual .835 silver.
Interesting Facts
The design of this coin was so iconic that it remained virtually unchanged from the restoration of the Franc in the early 1960s until the adoption of the Euro in 2002.