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HomeWorld CoinsFrance 2015 The Great War €10 Silver Coin

France 2015 The Great War €10 Silver Coin

Description:

The Great War is remembered in this thought-provoking series of silver 10€ coins struck by the Monnaie de Paris. In this issue, the French mint honors the Centennial of the Great War by commemorating the Christmas Truce of 1914.

By the end of that year, it had become apparent to all that the war was expanding. Expanding not only in terms of the territory affected – the war had become truly global – but by its effects on the societies of each of the belligerent nations. On the home front, the war had taken a toll on the economy, depleting it of capital and depriving it of its work force. To keep the means of production, women workers were called to replace men in the factories, while others went off to meet the growing need for nurses, tending to the wounded.

The year’s only bright spot came in the form of an unofficial truce on the front lines, where nearly 100,000 German and allied troops joined each other on the front lines to sing carols, play soccer, and pray.

The Great War 10€ Silver Coin commemorates this glimmering moment of shared humanity.

 

 

Obverse: A matronly figure decorates a Christmas tree. Her right hand rests on her son’s shoulder. In his right hand is a rifle, symbolizing the fact that the sons of France had gone off to war. In silhouette, a girl is reading a letter sent to her from the front lines. Due to press censorship, many French learned of the Christmas Truce through letters sent to them by their loved ones. At the bottom of the coin, a poppy and cornflower- two symbols representing the allied forces of the Commonwealth and France. A large RF (République Française) is located in the 8 o’clock position.

Reverse: Continuing the theme, the reverse centers around the Christmas Truce- this time from the perspective of the soldiers on the front line. The silhouette of a German soldier is depicted to the left, holding aloft in his right hand a Christmas tree. On the right, two allied soldiers- a Scott and a Frenchman. The Scott stands atop an emplacement, his rifle replaced by a walking stick. The French soldier signals “truce” to the other side by waving a flag. Wrapping around the coin’s rim is the inscription: LES FRATERNISÉS, 1915-2015.

Coin Specifications:

Country:  France
Year Of Issue:  2015
Denomination:  10€ Silver Coin
Mint Mark:
Mintage:  5,000
Alloy:  .900 Silver
Weight:  22.2 grams
Diameter:
OBV Designer
REV Designer
Quality:

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