The Last Franc - Museum Gallery

November 2024

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The Last Franc (before the coming of the Euro). Matte proof silver coin and a type in gold were all that were struck. Obverse: just the number One, "1"; Reverse: the legend "un ultime franc" with both sides' sparse features running to the edge. Third side edge lettering is weakly applied with "[cornucopia] 2001 [upside-down "u"] REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE [dot] STARK [dot] LIBERTE [dot] EGALITE [dot] FRANTERNITE."
The coin has a very distinct 'wave' in the planchet which one might think is representative of the venerable Franc waving bye-bye. The mintage is 49,838 with the gold version mintage at 4963 (26.1 g; .750, .6294 oz AGW). A very delicate coin if you want to preserve the matte at the crest of the wave.
One technology developed by the French Mint that has not been duplicated is the wavy technique used one time only, for a special release in 2001. The coin‘s profile or side view was intentionally shaped like a wave. According to the Monnaie de Paris at the time of its Sept. 15, 2001, release, the coin’s obverse and reverse sides “have a pure and minimalist design in which everything ‘disappears’ in order to be to the edge.” The coin was designed by famed French artist Philippe Starck. A .900 fine silver version and a .750 fine gold version were issued, both measuring 33 millimeters in diameter. (by Jeff Starck "Coin World" online 02/10/15)