FRANCE - THIRD REPUBLIC - 50 CENTIMES SEMEUSE 1897 - PCGS MS65+

Third Republic (1870-1940), 50 centimes Semeuse 1897 struck at Paris.

Obverse: the Sower walking left, sowing into the wind, the rising sun on the horizon, signed O. ROTY, legend RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. Reverse: denomination 50 CENTIMES above an olive branch, legend LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ and date 1897.

Delicate cabinet toning, bluish on the obverse, rainbow on the reverse. Mint State.

Note: 1897 is the first year of the Semeuse, the effigy created by Oscar Roty that became one of the most emblematic images in French numismatics, used for more than a century, down to the French euro coins. With a mintage of only 88,000, the first-year 50 centimes is a key date in the series, particularly sought after in high grade.