Catalogo
| Emittente | Madagascar |
|---|---|
| Anno | 1953 |
| Tipo | Coin pattern |
| Valore | 5 Francs |
| Valuta | CFA franc (1945-1963) |
| Composizione | Aluminium |
| Peso | |
| Diametro | |
| Spessore | |
| Forma | Round |
| Tecnica | Milled |
| Orientamento | |
| Incisore/i | Lucien Georges Bazor |
| In circolazione fino al | |
| Riferimento/i | KM#PE3 |
| Descrizione del dritto | Female personification of the French Republic, wearing winged phrygian cap with French tricolor left. Cargo ships in background. |
|---|---|
| Scrittura del dritto | Latin |
| Legenda del dritto |
REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE ESSAI L.BAZOR G.B. 1953 (Translation: French Republic) |
| Descrizione del rovescio | Value above three conjoined Zebu heads, flanked by sprays, value within horns. |
| Scrittura del rovescio | Latin |
| Legenda del rovescio | 5 FRANCS MADAGASCAR |
| Bordo | |
| Zecca |
Monnaie de Paris, Paris (and Pessac starting 1973), France (864-date) |
| Tiratura |
1953 - - 104 |
| ID Numisquare | 4807708710 |
| Informazioni aggiuntive |
Historical Context: The 1953 5 Francs Essai Piedfort from Madagascar originates during the French Union era under the Fourth Republic. Madagascar, then a French overseas territory, was amidst post-WWII reconstruction and emerging nationalist sentiments. This essai, or pattern coin, indicates a potential monetary system update or design consideration. Its piedfort nature, a thicker, heavier strike, designates it as a specialized presentation or test piece, not for general circulation.
Artistry: The stylistic characteristics of this essai align with skilled designers of the Monnaie de Paris, typical of mid-20th century French coinage. While a specific engraver might not be documented, the design adheres to the realist or neoclassical school. One expects an allegorical representation of Madagascar, possibly incorporating local symbols like a zebu or indigenous flora, integrated with the French denominational structure, balancing local identity with authority.
Technical/Grading: As an aluminium piedfort, this coin demands a powerful strike. Piedforts are struck on thicker planchets with immense pressure, typically yielding exceptional sharpness and a full, often proof-like, strike. High-points, such as intricate hair details or animal musculature, should exhibit complete definition. Legends and denticles must be crisp and well-formed. The robust strike inherent to a piedfort ensures superior detail retention; any strike softness is a significant grading flaw.