Catalog
| Issuer | France |
|---|---|
| Year | 1795-1802 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 5 Francs |
| Currency | Franc (1795-1959) |
| Composition | Silver (.900) |
| Weight | 25 g |
| Diameter | 37 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Engraver(s) | Augustin Dupré |
| In circulation to | 25 June 1928 |
| Reference(s) | F#288 |
| Obverse description | Face value, in a crown did with two laurel branches. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE 5 FRANCS L`AN 6/5 A |
| Reverse description | Hercules, naked with lion skin, in front, uniting the Liberty standing left, holding a pique surmonted by phrygian cap and the Equality, standing right, holding the plane. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | UNION ET FORCE · Dupré · |
| Edge | Hollow edge with inscriptions. |
| Mint |
A Monnaie de Paris, Paris (and Pessac starting 1973), France (864-date) BB Strasbourg, France (?-1870) G Geneva, Switzerland K Bordeaux, France (?-1880) L Bayonne, France (?-1837) MA Marseille, France (?-1858) T Nantes, France (?-1837) W Lille, France (1685-1858) |
| Mintage |
4 (1795) A - little A - 4 (1795) A - normal A - 3 184 061 5 (1796) A - little A - 5 (1796) A - little A, no accent on the E of REPUBLIQUE - 5 (1796) A - little A, point AND star after FRANCAISE - 5 (1796) A - normal A - 4 285 371 5 (1796) BB - (fr) F. 288/7 - 24 921 5 (1796) K - (fr) F. 288/8 - 227 802 5 (1796) K - an 5/4, no accent on the E of REPUBLIQUE - 5 (1796) K - point AND star after FRANCAISE - 5 (1796) L - (fr) F. 288/11 - 5 (1796) Q - (fr) F. 288/12 - 537 101 5 (1796) T - must go to F. 297 - 6 (1797) A - A normal, an 6/5, point AND star after FRANCAISE - 6 (1797) A - little A, an 6/5, cock on cornucopiae - 6 (1797) A - little A, an 6/5, no star after FORCE - 6 (1797) A - normal A, an 6/5 - 6 (1797) A - normal A, an 6/5, cock on cornucopiae - 6 (1797) A - normal A, an 6/5, no star after FORCE - 6 (1797) A - normal A, no point after FRANCS - 1 452 460 6 (1797) A - normal A, with point after FRANCS - 6 (1797) BB - no olive below - 6 (1797) BB - with an olive below, accent on the E of REPUBLIQUE - 65 325 6 (1797) BB - with an olive below, no accent on the E of REPUBLIQUE - 6 (1797) K - accent on the E of REPUBLIQUE - 88 831 6 (1797) K - an 6/5 - 6 (1797) K - an 6/5/4 - 6 (1797) K - no accent on the E of REPUBLIQUE - 6 (1797) L - an 6/5 - 180 127 6 (1797) Q - an 6/5, accent on the E of REPUBLIQUE - 6 (1797) Q - an 6/5/4, no accent on the E of REPUBLIQUE - 6 (1797) Q - no olive below - 6 (1797) Q - with an olive below - 487 763 6 (1797) T - (fr) F. 288/33 - 49 029 6 (1797) T - an 6/5, point AND star after FRANCAISE - 6 (1797) T - an 6/5, star only after FRANCAISE - 6 (1797) T - T re-engraved on A - 7 (1798) A - High A - 7 (1798) A - normal A - 2 655 931 7 (1798) BB - other type, to be transfered - 7 (1798) K - (fr) F. 288/39 - 63 656 7 (1798) L - (fr) F. 288/40 - 418 807 7 (1798) L - L re-engraved on A - 7 (1798) Q - (fr) F. 288/42 - 615 774 7 (1798) T - other type, to be transfered - 8 (1799) A - (fr) F. 288/43 - 1 079 266 8 (1799) A - an 8/7 - 8 (1799) BB - (fr) F. 288/45 - 3 603 8 (1799) BB - sheaf re-engraved on cornucopiae - 8 (1799) D - (fr) F. 288/47 - 3 049 8 (1799) K - (fr) F. 288/48 - 74 040 8 (1799) K - an 8/5 - 8 (1799) K - an 8/5, no point on each side of mint letter - 8 (1799) K - an 8/6 - 8 (1799) L - (fr) F. 288/52 - 394 510 8 (1799) L - an 8/5 - 8 (1799) L - an 8/5, no point on each side of mint letter - 8 (1799) L - an 8/6, L re-engraved on little A - 8 (1799) L - an 8/6, point AND star after FRANCAISE - 8 (1799) Q - (fr) F. 288/57 - 1 159 542 8 (1799) T - an 8/5 - 8 (1799) T - an 8/5, T re-engraved on A - 8 (1799) T - an 8/5, T re-engraved on A, point AND star after FRANCAISE - 8 (1799) W - (fr) F. 288/61 - 9 884 9 (1800) A - (fr) F. 288/62 - 196 370 9 (1800) BB - (fr) F. 288/63 - 1 086 9 (1800) D - (fr) F. 288/64 - 24 167 9 (1800) G - (fr) F. 288/65 - 6 985 9 (1800) K - (fr) F. 288/66 - 27 964 9 (1800) K - an 9/6 - 9 (1800) L - (fr) F. 288/68 - 310 676 9 (1800) L - an 9/6 - 9 (1800) Q - other type, to be transfered - 9 (1800) T - other type, to be transfered - 10 (1801) A - (fr) F. 288/70 - 560 519 10 (1801) G - (fr) F. 288/71 - 4 447 10 (1801) K - other type, to be transfered - 10 (1801) L - (fr) F. 288/72 - 165 082 10 (1801) MA - (fr) F. 288/73 - 10 (1801) Q - (fr) F. 288/74 - 133 598 10 (1801) Q - date offset to the right, without point after date - 10 (1801) Q - without Artemis mint different on obverse - 10 (1801) T - other type, to be transfered - 11 (1802) A - other type, to be transfered - 11 (1802) K - other type, to be transfered - 11 (1802) L - other type, to be transfered - 11 (1802) MA - (fr) F. 288/77 - 160 368 11 (1802) Q - other type, to be transfered - 11 (1802) T - (fr) F. 288/78 - 9 950 |
| Numisquare ID | 1015775740 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: Issued from 1795 to 1802, this 5 Francs coin represents a pivotal era of the French First Republic, encompassing the Directory and early Consulate under Napoleon Bonaparte. This period sought to stabilize France and its currency following revolutionary turmoil. The motto "UNION ET FORCE" (Union and Strength) embodies republican ideals of national unity and resilience, reflecting the effort to consolidate revolutionary gains and establish a new order.
Artistry: The design, characteristic of the Neoclassical style of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, is often attributed to the renowned engraver Augustin Dupré. The obverse features the iconic Hercules, flanked by allegorical figures of Liberty and Equality, symbolizing republican virtues. The reverse displays the denomination within a wreath. This specific F#288 variety is distinguished by its 'UNION tight' lettering and the precise arrangement of inner and outer acorn motifs, a key identifier.
Technical/Grading: Struck in .900 fine silver (25 grams, 37 millimeters), this coin features significant relief. For grading, critical high points include the facial features and hair of Hercules, Liberty, and Equality, along with Hercules' musculature. On the reverse, sharpness in the wreath's leaves and berries, and crisp lettering, are essential. The distinct 'UNION tight' and acorn details, defining this F#288 variety, must be clearly struck and visible for proper attribution, as wear can obscure these specific characteristics.