Beautiful Marianne is the latest French numismatic icon to be celebrated

Who is Marianne? In the way that Britain has Britannia, the US has Lady Liberty, and Switzerland has Helvetia, France has Miarianne. The personification of nationhood, these strong females represent the strength and values of country. Obviously these will be strong contenders for numismatic showcasing and the first two of those examples in particular are very well represented. Now it’s Marianne’s time for modern commemoration.

Marianne is an old symbol. The Phrygian bonnet was worn by former slaves back in the times of the Roman Empire and was kept for depictions of Liberty in the late 18th century, with the addition of a short robe and a pikestaff. It was in 1792 that the new Republic chose to be embodied in the figure of Marianne, the motherland. A decree of 1792 stated that the “state seal was to be changed and should henceforth bear the figure of France in the guise of a woman dressed after the fashion of Antiquity, standing upright, her right hand holding a pikestaff surmounted by a Phrygian bonnet, or Liberty bonnet, and her left hand resting on a bundle of arms: at her feet, a tiller.” Despite many ups and downs in popularity, Marianne remains today a potent symbol of France, with a bust in most town halls across the nation.

France has long had strong symbols on its coins and the Monnaie de Paris has recognised this in recent years with a succession of precious metal coin runs. The mint has released sets of three coins depicting some of the numismatic greats of French history. Hercules (2011-2013), the Rooster (2014-2016) and the Sower (2014-2016 latest series). Marianne continues this and if the first coin is any indication, this will be an elegant, classic series of designs.

To dispense with the obverse first, it’s the same one that has adorned the Hercules and Rooster coins for several years now. A hexagonal pattern near the rim is meant to depict France. Inside are the inscriptions for the denomination and issuer. Surrounding the text are two branches, one of laurel and one of oak. Apart from the denomination, there are no differences between the various sizes, or between the gold and silver coins.

The reverse is quite beautiful, a side portrait of a woman wearing the Phrygian bonnet and a cockade of oak and laurel. Around the face is a flight of birds, perhaps doves, each getting smaller as they rise into the distance. The word Libertè is inscribed in a handwritten style of script along with the date in a far smalle font. The whole design is very classical numismatic with a modern touch. As the first of three coins we look forward to what comes next.

As before, these are face value coins which means they sell for the denominated value. The gold coin weighs in at 3.75 grams of fine 0.999 gold and is denominated at €250.00. The silver pair weigh in at 18g of 0.900 (€20.00) and 50g of the same purity for €100.00. Mintages are 25,000 for the gold, with the silver pair at 100,000 and 15,000 respectively. In addition, the small silver coin is also available as a boxed proof finish item for €45.00 and this is limited to 10,000 pieces. All are available to order now, but won’t start to ship until the 24th of January.

After the Sower, Hercule and the Rooster, Monnaie de Paris pays tribute since 2017 to a major symbol of the French Republic : Marianne.
Marianne is a symbol of the French  Republic, an allegory of freedom. She is wearing a Phrygian cap, a cockade  and is accompanied by flying birds.

The reverse of the coin shows the face value surrounded by two branches (oak and laurel) that evoke the Euro symbol. The entire reverse motive is framed in a hexagonal design representing the shape of  France.