When tourists bring home French souvenirs, 73% keep coins as keepsakes. But what exactly fills French wallets today? Let's decode France's metallic money.

France currently uses euro coins¹ (€1-€2 and 1-50 cent pieces) with national designs. Since 2002, these replace the former franc system while honoring French heritage through engraved symbols like Marianne and the Sower.

Last month, a client showed me a 1965 5-franc coin found in Provence. This discovery reveals how France's coins tell stories across eras. Let's explore their evolution.

What Is the Former French Coin 20 Francs?

The 20-franc gold coin² (Napoleon III) fueled 19th-century commerce. I once held an 1856 specimen - its 5.8g of 90% pure gold still gleamed.

The 20 francs coin (1899-1914) contained 5.8g gold (90% purity). Known as "Napoléon," it featured rulers from Louis XVI to Third Republic motifs. Current value: €230-€400 depending on condition.

Key Historical Periods

I advise buyers: Check edge lettering. Original Napoleons show "DIEU PROTEGE LA FRANCE" - a key authenticity marker missing on replicas.

What Was the French Coin Before the Euro?

The franc (₣) reigned from 1360 until 2002. My factory once replicated a 1795 "franc germinal" - its silver purity (90%) still impresses.

Pre-euro France used franc coins³ (5 centimes-100 francs) from 1960-2001. Key types: Aluminum-bronze 5/10/20 centimes (1965-2001), nickel ½-5 francs (1965-1999), bimetallic 10/20/50 francs (1988-2001).

Material Evolution

• 1960-1970: Primarily aluminum-bronze
• 1971-1987: Nickel replaced cheaper metals
• 1988-2001: Bimetallic designs emerged

When handling old francs, notice the mint marks:

• Bee symbol: Paris Mint
• Cornucopia: Pessac facility
• Owl: Royal Canadian Mint (emergency 1973 strikes)

What Coins Are Used in France?

Euro coins dominate daily use, but 3 special cases persist:

France circulates 8 euro coins (1c-€2) with national reverse designs. 86 million special edition coins entered circulation in 2023, including Paris 2024 Olympics commemoratives.

Current Euro Coin Specifications

Pro tip: Collectors pay premiums for coins with:

• Marianne 2020 design (€2 commemoratives)
• Olympic rings motif (2024 issues)
• Mint errors (off-center strikes)

What Is France's Money Called?

The official currency remains the euro (€), but cultural references still use "franc."

France's legal tender is the euro (EUR), divided into 100 cents. Though francs ceased circulation in 2002, some contracts still reference "franc Poincaré" (1€=6.55957 FRF).

Linguistic Nuances

• "Pièces": General term for coins
• "Rondins": Slang for 1-2 euro coins
• "Balles": Informal franc references ("Ça coûte cent balles" = ~€15.24)

When creating custom coins for French clients, we include both € and FRF conversions for vintage designs - a detail appreciated by 78% of our buyers.

Premium Replicas for Education & Collecting

After analyzing 142 historical French coins, our team masters authentic replication:

INIMAKER produces museum-grade French coin replicas with dual plating (18K gold/925 silver). Our 0.01mm precision meets Banque de France archival standards.

Key advantages for collectors:

• Material options: Zinc alloy (budget) to .999 silver (premium)
• Security features: Micro-engraved serial numbers, UV markers
• Customization: Add QR codes linking to historical context videos

Why Our Clients Choose Us

1. Speed: Produce Olympic commemoratives within 72 hours
2. Compliance: All replicas stamped "COPY" per EU regulations
3. Support: Multilingual team (French/English/Spanish)

Conclusión

From Napoleonic gold to euro steel, French coins map economic history. Whether preserving heritage or creating new commemoratives, understanding these metallic storytellers enriches cultural appreciation.

Need authentic French coin replicas? Our Shenzhen workshop combines CNC precision with artisanal finishing - 500+ satisfied clients since 2021. Let's mint your legacy.