Catalog
20 Francs Essai
| Issuer | Monnaie de Paris |
|---|---|
| Year | 1968 |
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| Engraver(s) | Lucien Georges Bazor |
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|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A traditional dhow under sail occupies the left foreground, while a large ocean liner and what appears to be a cargo vessel or crane ship are depicted in the middle and background, evoking the maritime trade of the territory's port of Djibouti. The denomination '20' in large numerals appears prominently above, with 'FRANCS' inscribed below it. The territorial legend curves around the entire periphery of the coin, with a central dot at the base separating the beginning and end of the inscription. |
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| Mintage | 1968 - - 1,700 |
| Additional information |
The 1968 essai was produced by the Monnaie de Paris as a trial piece for a 20 franc denomination that never entered circulation — France's monetary structure shifted before the type could be adopted. Essais of this period were struck in strictly limited numbers, primarily for distribution to government officials, monetary authorities, and the numismatic trade rather than for any public release.
KM#E3 is among the scarcer French brass trials of the late Fifth Republic issues.