be France 1999

Set Proof France 1999

Set overview:

The national sides feature Marianne by Fabienne Courtiade on 1, 2 and 5 cents, the Sower by Laurent Jorio on 10, 20 and 50 cents, and Joaquin Jimenez’s tree on 1 and 2 euros, surrounded by the motto “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”.

This Monnaie de Paris 1999 Proof set contains the eight French denominations from 1 cent to 2 euros. It is the first year of French euro coinage, struck several years before euro cash entered circulation in January 2002.

Set contents: the regular euro denominations from 1 cent to 2 euros.

Historical and cultural context:

The Sower, created by engraver Oscar Roty at the end of the nineteenth century, is one of the most enduring motifs in French coinage. First used on the franc, this allegorical figure has been reused by Monnaie de Paris in several euro collector series as a link between republican tradition and contemporary creation.

Mintage: 15,000 sets.

Quality: Proof.