10 Francs Trial

The Monnaie de Paris routinely struck essais — official trial pieces — before committing to full production runs, and this 1974 example precedes the circulating 10 Francs bimetallic series that would follow in subsequent years. Essais of this type were produced in strictly limited quantities, distributed primarily to officials, monetary institutions, and select collectors rather than released through normal channels.

The copper-aluminium-nickel alloy here differs from what eventually entered circulation, suggesting this piece reflects an early materials evaluation rather than a finalized specification.