Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 2008-2010
Composition: 99.99% Gold
Diameter: 15 mm
Weight: 3.1 grams
Total Mintage: 150,000
Obverse Design: Sower
Reverse Design: Wreath Design
Introduction
After the presidential election in 2007 - and maybe in order to reinforce confidence in the European currency, the French authorities decided to strike new Sower types in silver and in gold. Created partly for circulation - at least in theory - they were in fact widely hoarded or collected.
Sold by the French Mint at their marked value, the 100 Euro gold coins soon became a very profitable investment with the rise of the price of gold.
This "New Sower", intended for a wide enough delivery, should not be confused with its homonym, a very different coin set, in gold and silver too, struck at low mintage for the collector market.
Design
The overall design is based on the original Sower, a famous figure on French coinage of the 20th century from the engraver Oscar Roty.
The obverse design features the new Sower, designed by Joaquin Jimenez, turned to the right side and sowing stars (referring to the European flag) in front of a radiant sunshine. The indication of year is inserted in the initials RF (for "République Française" // "French Republic" in English).
The reverse design features a wreath with the denomination “100 Euro” enclosed within. Encircling the wreath is the French motto “LIBERTE-EGALITE-FRATERNITE” or in English "Liberty – Equality – Brotherhood”. On the outer periphery, three hexagons arranged as a sun or a flower, encircle this central pattern.
The coin edge is smooth.
| Obverse | Reverse |
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Mintages
2008 - 50,000
2009 - 50,000
2010 - 50,000
General Market Notes
All coins were issued encapsulated with special packaging (coinholders) with the logo of Monnaie de Paris (French Mint). In 2008 the packaging was white, In 2009 & 2010 the packaging was changed to dark blue. Although the mintage is equal for the three years, the first issue commands higher prices.
| 2008 Packaging (logo) | 2009-10 Packaging (logo) |
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