1984 France 100 Francs Marie Curie Silver Coin
Coin/Bullion · Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint), the official mint of the French Republic and the oldest institution in France.
Pattern: Commemorative Series: 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Marie Curie (and her discovery of Polonium/Radium).
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint), the official mint of the French Republic and the oldest institution in France.
Material
.900 Silver (90% silver, 10% copper); contains 0.434 troy ounces of actual silver weight (ASW).
Dimensions
Diameter: 31mm; Weight: 15.00 grams (approx. 0.48 troy oz); Thickness: 2.3mm.
Description
A notable French silver commemorative coin minted in 1984 to honor Marie Curie. The obverse displays a wreath design with the French motto and the year 1984, while the reverse honors the dual Nobel prize winner's contributions to science. These coins were popular in the 1980s as a way for the French public to hold silver bullion in a recognizable legal tender form.
Key Features
Scientific inscriptions 'Physics' and 'Chemistry' integrated into the wreath; notable .900 fineness; 100 Franc denomination.
Material & Composition
.900 Silver (90% silver, 10% copper); contains 0.434 troy ounces of actual silver weight (ASW).
Finish & Decoration
Mint circulation finish; obverse features two olive branches crossed with small inscriptions of 'PHYSIQUE' and 'CHIMIE' (Physics and Chemistry); reverse features a portrait of Marie Curie.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Cornucopia mint mark (Paris Mint) and Dolphin privy mark (Emile Rousseau); '100 NF' denomination; 'REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE' and national motto 'LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE'.
Construction Details
Industrial die-struck coinage; machine-minted on high-pressure presses with a reeded edge.
Functional Features
Legal tender value of 100 Francs (at time of issue); serving as both a commemorative object and currency.
Handle & Grip Details
None (standard round coin planchet); the edge is reeded (milled) to prevent metal shaving/clipping.
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality machine strike with crisp lettering; the design shows the precision typical of the Paris Mint's modern commemorative issues.
Authentication Indicators
Distinctive Monnaie de Paris typography; correct weight of 15g; specific '1984' date alignment; presence of the cornucopia mint mark.
Origin & Manufacturing
Pessac workshop of the Monnaie de Paris, France; following centuries of French numismatic tradition.
Era & Period
Fifth Republic (1958-present); specifically the Modern Commemorative era of the mid-1980s.
Age Estimate
Dated 1984; 40 years old as of current assessment.
Cultural Significance
Celebrates Marie Curie as a national hero and pioneer for women in science; reflects the French tradition of honoring intellectual achievement on currency.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good; shows heavy surface sulfidation (dark tarnish), scattered handling marks, and minor edge dings. Likely circulated or stored in a high-humidity environment.
Value Estimate
$12.00 to $18.00 USD; primarily fluctuates based on the current spot price of silver plus a small numismatic premium.
Care & Maintenance
Do not clean with abrasives; use a silver dip briefly if the tarnish is undesirable, but collectors often prefer 'original' toning. Store in a PVC-free coin flip or capsule.
Similar Pieces
100 Francs 1982 (Pantheon), 1985 (Germinal), 1986 (Statue of Liberty); these vary in reverse design but share the same silver specifications.
Interesting Facts
While it has a 100 Franc face value, it was never widely circulated for daily transactions, acting more as a collector's piece or silver 'stacking' item.