French Semeuse (The Sower) 5 Francs Silver Coin
Coin/Bullion · Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint), the official mint of the French Republic with roots dating back to 864 AD.
Pattern: La Semeuse (The Sower) design by Oscar Roty, introduced originally in 1897 and revived for the Fifth Republic in 1960.
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint), the official mint of the French Republic with roots dating back to 864 AD.
Material
83.5% Silver (.835 fineness); 16.5% Copper. Contains approximately 0.3222 troy ounces of pure silver.
Dimensions
Diameter: 29.0 mm; Weight: 12.00 grams (Gross); Thickness: 2.0 mm.
Description
This iconic silver 5 Francs piece features Roty’s 'Semeuse', a symbol of the French Republic representing a nation sowing the seeds of its future. It is one of the most recognized European silver coins of the 20th century, favored for its large size and elegant Art Nouveau-influenced design.
Key Features
The walking female figure with a flowing gown and Phrygian cap; the high-relief olive/oak branch on reverse; the distinct .835 silver content stamp implicit in the issue year.
Material & Composition
83.5% Silver (.835 fineness); 16.5% Copper. Contains approximately 0.3222 troy ounces of pure silver.
Finish & Decoration
Satin mint luster with a reeled edge. Features 'The Sower' in a Phrygian cap, sowing seeds into the wind with the rising sun behind her. Reverse features an olive branch, oak branch, and the motto 'Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité'.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Cornucopia (Paris Mint mark) and various engraver marks (differents) such as the 'Owl' or 'Dolphin' depending on the specific year. Rim includes the face value '5 FRANCS'.
Construction Details
Industrial die-struck coin produced via mechanical coining presses at the French National Mint.
Functional Features
Milled/reeded edge to prevent debasement and clipping of the silver content; Legal tender in France until the introduction of the Euro.
Handle & Grip Details
None; Circular flat planchet designed for pocket carry and hand-to-hand commerce.
Craftsmanship Details
Machine-struck with precision dies. The design exhibits a transition from late 19th-century fine arts to modern 20th-century industrial minting standards.
Authentication Indicators
Correct diameter of 29mm and weight of 12g; crispness of the 'REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE' lettering; specific edge reeding and die alignment (coin turn).
Origin & Manufacturing
France; Manufactured specifically at the Monnaie de Paris facility.
Era & Period
Fifth French Republic (Modern Era), specifically the 1960-1969 silver production period before the transition to cupro-nickel.
Age Estimate
Produced between 1960 and 1969. Based on the relief and luster, it appears to be a mid-century strike.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of French agricultural heritage and republican values; essentially the 'Silver Dollar' of mid-century France, representing stability after the currency reforms of De Gaulle.
Condition Notes
Very Good to Extremely Fine. Shows slight surface bag marks and light circulation wear on the high points of the gown. Moderate tarnish/patina visible in the protected areas of the lettering.
Value Estimate
Usually valued at its 'melt' (silver spot price) plus a small premium ($10-$20 USD), depending on the current silver market and the specific year's rarity.
Care & Maintenance
Do not polish or clean with abrasives, as this destroys numismatic value. Store in an acid-free PVC-free flip or a specialized coin capsule to prevent further oxidation.
Similar Pieces
19th-century Semeuse coins (usually smaller denominations like 50c, 1fr, 2fr); 1970-2001 5 Francs (nickel-clad, no silver content); French 10 Francs and 50 Francs Hercules.
Interesting Facts
The 'Sower' design was so beloved that it inspired the design of the early 20th-century US Mercury Dime and remains a motif on modern French Euro coins.