Silver Coins 50 Francs Hercules - Set of 10 coins

The 50 Francs Hercule: the most popular silver coin

Very recent, the 50 Francs Hercules silver coin was struck for the first time in 1974, until 1980, in 46,410,266 copies. Like the 10 Francs Hercules coin , the production of the 50 Francs Hercules Silver ended, for budgetary reasons, when the price of silver soared. It was demonetized shortly after its last strike, on April 30, 1980.

The design visible on the obverse of the 50 Francs Hercules silver coin was designed in 1796 by Augustin Dupré for the 5 Francs Hercules coin . The latter was then considered to be the heir to the French silver écus since it replaced the 6-pound écu. The 50 Francs Hercules silver coin was nicknamed "écu" for several years.

The most popular investment silver coin in France, the 50 Francs Hercule is the product to have for all investors keen on investment silver.

The 50 Francs Hercule: the largest silver coin

The 50 Francs Hercules silver investment coin has a diameter of 41mm, a weight of 30 grams and a fineness of 900.00 thousandths. This is the largest format of silver coin ever issued in France before the transition to the Euro.

The design of Hercules was made by Augustin Dupré, a French medallist who became famous for his famous Genius, visible on the 20 Francs Genius and 100 Francs Genius gold investment coins. It was originally designed for the 5 Franc silver coin after the Revolution, under the Directory regime (1795-1799). The design was subsequently used many times, including for this 50 Francs Hercule silver coin .

On the obverse, the 50 Francs Hercules silver coin shows us the demigod Heracles (Hercules) from the front, bearded and naked, wearing the lion's skin garment, the léonté. A lion's paw can be seen on his left shoulder. He unites Liberty (on the left) dressed in a peplos and holding a pike wearing a Phrygian cap, with Equality, standing on the right. The latter is dressed in a chiton and holding a level. The three protagonists are surrounded by the French motto "LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ". At the bottom of the coin is the signature of Augustin Dupré.

On the reverse of the 50 Francs Hercules silver coin , the face value "50 Francs" is right in the center. It is surrounded by a laurel branch symbolizing victory tied to an oak branch, symbolizing stability and power. The words "RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE" are inscribed around the engraving, as well as the year at the foot of the coin .

Finally, the edge of the 50 Francs Hercules silver coin features several relief motifs referring to agriculture, industry and commerce.