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1 Centime pattern, Gengembre process
| Issuer | France |
|---|---|
| Year | 1796 |
| Type | Coin pattern |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
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| Reverse lettering | COUPÉ ET FRAPPÉ EN MEME TEMS PAR |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
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| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
In 1796, the Directory-era Monnaie de Paris was experimenting with alternative striking methods to address chronic shortages of viable coinage metal. The Gengembre process — named for the chemist who developed it — involved treating tin to improve its hardness and surface stability, making it a plausible substitute for copper in small denominations. These centimes never reached circulation; the process was ultimately abandoned as insufficient for production-scale durability.
The variant designation in Mazard reflects genuine die differences among surviving trial pieces, suggesting multiple striking sessions rather than a single proof run.