France 1891A 5c and 1877- 10c

[UK Decimal +]

Another from the bag of mixed coins.

Under the truncation on the obverse, OUDINE can just be seen.

Bill.

EDIT: 10c coin added to title.

[Figleaf]

This coin is a good counterpoint to your Napoleonic piece. Louis was gone and France was a republic again, so his head and the heraldic eagle were replaced by Ceres, the Roman godess of agriculture and a laurel wreath. Ceres is an apt symbol, because in those days, France's economy was still heavily based on agriculture and having enough food was an accomplishment. However, this would soon change. This was a time of inventions: cars, aircraft, radio, submarines and concrete were all developed in this era. Social security was expanded with social housing and private pensions.

The chief engraver responsible for the obverse of this piece was E. A. Oudiné, while the reverse was designed by Joseph-François Domard (1792-1858), an engraver of the Paris mint, better known for his work on the coins of Louis-Philippe.

The last provincial mint, Bordeaux, having been closed in 1878, the coin has no signs for chief engraver or mint director.This type was created by law of 6th May 1852. It was struck with dates 1871 to 1898. A total of 73 768 693 pieces was struck, of which 1 600 000 in 1891 in Paris. The type was withdrawn by law of 31st October 1934 and demonetized on 1st January 1935.

Peter

[UK Decimal +]

Once again a good story from Peter.

And once again the 10c version, for 1877, which is too worn to be able to read the code for the mint.

Bill.