Third Republic, 1889-A

KM 832; Friedberg 590, PCGS graded PR-65

This 100-franc piece was struck by the Third French Republic as a commemorative coin on the occasion of the Exposition Universelle held in Paris between May 6 and October 31, 1889. This world’s fair was particularly symbolic for republican France as it was held in the centennial year of the storming of the Bastille and the beginning of the French Revolution. It was notable for the Eiffel Tower, which served as the entrance gate to the Exposition grounds and the Galerie des machines, a vaulted structure covering the longest interior space in the world at the time, as well as a variety of exotic attractions ranging from the Imperial Diamond (the largest in the world at the time) to Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley in their Wild West Show.

Paris. Genius standing right, writing the Constitution, between fasces and rooster. Reverse: Denomination and date within oak-wreath.

Ex MDC Monaco (1December 2017), 1088