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50 Euros The sower and Lady Liberty
| Issuer | Monnaie de Paris |
|---|---|
| Year | 2024 |
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| Shape | Round |
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| Obverse description | The obverse bears the effigy of La Semeuse (the Sower), the iconic French numismatic allegory, depicted standing before the French tricolor flag, her gaze directed toward the monogram 'RF' inscribed to her right. Her posture is rendered with studied composure, and her traditional seed bag has been reimagined as a dome, while sheaves of wheat rise at her side, symbolizing the fruition of France's cultural and economic influence. The face value '50 €' and the date '2024' are inscribed on a plinth reminiscent of the base upon which the original Sower treads, with the engraver's initials 'JM' also present in the field. The design was engraved by John M. Mercanti, lending an American artistic perspective to this celebrated French motif. The legend 'RF' denotes the République Française. |
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| Reverse description | The reverse presents an allegorical effigy of Lady Liberty, depicted in left-facing profile, draped in a flowing gown and bearing the American flag extended at arm's length, evoking a sense of freedom and openness. She wears a radiate crown inspired by the Statue of Liberty, and a bald eagle soars at her side, reinforcing the iconography of American sovereignty. A profusion of stars fills the field behind her, their forms intertwining to symbolize the unity of the American states. The composition, engraved by Joaquin Jimenez, conveys a proud and resolute expression, distinguishing this rendering from more classical depictions of Liberty. The overall design celebrates the enduring friendship and shared republican ideals between France and the United States. |
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| Additional information |
The Semeuse — the sower figure first drawn by Louis-Oscar Roty for the 1897 franc series — became so embedded in French monetary iconography that she survived the transition to the euro, appearing on French euro cent coins from 2002 onward. This issue pairs her with Marianne, the allegorical embodiment of the French Republic whose face has been recut by committee vote every several years since the Fifth Republic standardized her use on coinage in the 1960s. Placing both figures together on a single piece is a deliberate editorial choice by the Monnaie de Paris, consolidating two centuries of republican symbolism.
The 155.50g format corresponds to five troy ounces — a standard bullion increment.