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5 francs Tour Eiffel (Epreuve de contrôle)
| Issuer | Monnaie de Paris |
|---|---|
| Year | 1989 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Reference(s) | GEM#155.1, 155.2, Franc 2014#342/1 |
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|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | The reverse is dominated by a bold perspective view of the Eiffel Tower rising from the left side of the field, rendered in fine relief to convey the monument's soaring height and open ironwork structure. A four-line caption TOUR EIFFEL 1889 1989 is inscribed in the field, commemorating the centenary of the tower's construction. The engraver's signature F. JOUBERT appears in the design. The composition balances the monumental architectural image with the commemorative inscription in a clean, modernist numismatic style. |
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| Additional information |
The "épreuve de contrôle" is a foundry control strike, not a coin in any conventional sense. These lead pieces were produced internally by the Monnaie de Paris to verify that dies met dimensional and relief standards before silver or other production blanks were committed to the press. The 1989 date ties this directly to the centennial of the Eiffel Tower, for which the standard nickel 5 francs issue was produced in enormous quantities. That this control piece survives outside the mint at all is itself unusual — most were retained or destroyed after inspection.