5 francs Semeuse Essai Argent grand 5

The Semeuse essai pieces of 1959 were produced as pattern trials during the coinage reform that accompanied the establishment of the Fifth Republic and the introduction of the nouveau franc. Monnaie de Paris struck multiple essai variants that year — differing in the rendering of the numeral, edge treatment, and metal — to evaluate design options before committing to production dies. This "grand 5" designation distinguishes it from the concurrent "petit 5" trial by the enlarged numeral on the reverse.

Essais from this transitional moment were distributed in small quantities to collectors and institutional recipients rather than circulated, which explains their consistent preservation. The Gad 1789 reference alone lists several distinct varieties from this single year of trials.