Description:
French bronze 5 centimes, 1906
Diameter 26mm
The obverse features Marianne facing right and wearing the Phrygian, or liberty cap, with an olive branch attached. The inscription reads 'REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE' and the name of the designer, Daniel-Dupuis, is at the base of the bust. The reverse features a design known as 'La Republique Protegeant l'Enfance' by Daniel-Dupuis. The female personification of the Republic is seated wearing a helmet surmounted by a cockerel. In her left hand she holds an olive branch, her right arm is placed around a child and in her right hand she holds a spear with the French flag hanging from the shaft. The child is seated and holds a shaft of wheat in its right hand to symbolise agriculture and a hammer in its left hand to symbolise industry. The motto 'LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE', 'Liberty Equality Brotherhood', is inscribed around the outside. The Parisian Privy Marks of a torch for the Engraver General and the cornucopia for the Mint Director are to the right and left. The date is below and the name of 'Daniel-Dupuis' is between the date and the cornucopia to the bottom left. The denomination, abbrevated to '5c', appears on a scroll to the right.