Bidspirit auction | 1898 FR Silver 50 Centimes

1898 FR Silver 50 Centimes Coin - This FR 50 Centimes silver coin was issued in 1898 by the French Republic. The obverse displays the Sower (La Semeuse) design with the legend REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. The reverse features an olive branch, the denomination 50 CENTIMES, the motto LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE, and the date 1898. The coin is composed of .835 fine silver and has a reeded edge. The 1898 date represents the inaugural year of issue for this design type. No mint marks are clearly legible in the photographs. The coin exhibits significant circulation wear. On the obverse, the Sower figure is heavily flattened with a loss of detail in the hair and clothing (photo 2). The reverse olive branch shows substantial wear to the leaves and berries (photo 1). Both surfaces display mottled dark toning and various contact marks consistent with a lower circulated grade. The rims show minor wear.