5 centime Epi Epreuve uniface d'avers en argent

This is a uniface obverse trial strike in silver — a working proof produced internally at the Monnaie de Paris to evaluate the obverse die before committing to full production. Such pieces were never intended for circulation or public sale. The wheat ear (épi) 5-centime series was itself a product of the 1960 franc redenomination, when de Gaulle's government introduced the nouveau franc at a ratio of 100 old francs to one new, requiring an entirely new coinage suite.

GEM 21.11 distinguishes this specific uniface avers trial from the paired revers piece and from later essais.