Denomination –   1 Cent (0,01 Euro)
Country –  France
Year –  1999
Head Of State – President Jacques René Chirac
Mint – Paris
Obverse – Marianne embodies the desire for a sound and lasting Europe. She is the national emblem of France, a personification of Liberty and Reason. She symbolises the “Triumph of the Republic”, a bronze sculpture overlooking the Place de la Nation in Paris.
Reverse – Globe in the bottom left. The (initial design:2002) then-fifteen members of the EU are lightly highlighted . Six fine lines cut diagonally behind the globe from each side of the coin and have twelve stars at their ends (reflective of the flags of Europe). To the top left is a large number 1 followed, in smaller text, by the words “Euro Cent”. The designers initials, LL, appear to the right of the globe.
Metal – 94,35% Steel – 5,65% Copper
Condition – Uncirculated
Creator –  Fabienne Courtiade – Luc Lyucx
Catalogue – KM# 1282
Edge – Plain
Mintage – 404,000,000
Diameter  –  16,20 mm
Weight – 2,27 gr
Interesting Facts – Marianne symbolizes the “Triumph of the Republic”. The Triumph of the Republic is a bronze sculpture that overlooks the Place de la Nation in Paris. The profile of the Marianne can be seen on the official seal of the country. The symbol is engraved on French Euro coins and in French postage stamps. The symbol was also featured on the former French Franc banknotes and coins. 
Marianne was earlier used on pro-Republican iconography. She was heavily caricatured by anti-Republicans. 

During the classical times it was common practice to represent ideas and abstract entities through means such as Goddesses, Gods and allegorical personifications. This practice was not very common during the Middle Ages. It came back into practice during Renaissance. The French Revolution was a period, when, many allegorical personifications of ‘Liberty’ and ‘Reason’ were made. The figures of ‘Liberty’ and ‘Reason’ were merged into one. It was a female figure that was depicted either sitting or standing. Various attributes such as the cockerel, the Phrygian Cap and tricolor cockade accompanied the female figure. 

The woman symbolized many things. These included Liberty, the Nation, Reason, the Homeland and the civic virtues of the Republic. 

Some other powerful national symbols that represent France include Blue-White-Red, Liberté-Egalité-Fraternité and the Republic. All these national symbols have been combined in a new “identifier” that was created by the French government of Lionel Jospin.

Approx. Value –0,36 $(Unc)
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