Jean-Jacques Barre was the general engraver at the Monnaie de Paris between 1842 and 1855. In this position, he engraved and designed coins, French medals, the Great Seal of France, bank notes and postage stamps. In 1849 France's first postage stamp was issued, depicting Ceres the goddess of agriculture, and designed by Barre.

Dupre's Hercules

An exceedingly late issue for a silver coin, France minted this design from 1795-1980. It is largely unchanged from the original "Union et Force" design of 1795, and shows Hercules with two women representing the allegories of Liberty and Equality.

Originally comissioned as a prize medal for the French Ministry of Agriculture, Roty's "Semeuse" is likely France's most recognized symbol. It has been used since the 50c issue of 1897, up through the Euro coins, and similarly on French stamps.

The Sower issue is generally agreed to be the inspiration for Saint-Gauden's US $20 double eagle gold piece and Weinman's Walking Liberty half dollar.

Henri-Auguste Patey studied sculpture with Henri Chapu and engraving and medal making with Jules-Clément Chaplain. He was admitted to the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in 1873. In 1875, he won the second Prix de Rome for medal engraving and in 1881 he won the first Grand prix de Rome, also for medal engraving. He won further prizes in 1886 (third), 1887 (second) and 1894 (first). At the Universal Exhibition of 1889 he won a bronze medal. He produced many portrait medals, not only of clients, but also of relatives and friends. He also authored decorations and patterns.

He succeeded Jean Lagrange as chief engraver of the Paris mint in 1896, a position he held until his death. He used a torch as his privy mark. In this position, Patey designed the nickel 25 Centimes 1903. This piece was generally rejected. It was the first copper-nickel coin in France. The white metal was taken for silver and the coin confused with the 1 franc, in spite of a completely different design. Coins with a different design and shape dated 1904 and 1905 were not accepted either. He did not design any other French coins after this double disappointments. Copper-nickel coins succeeded only in 1914, when holed coins were produced.

Dupre's Hercules

An exceedingly late issue for a silver coin, France minted this design from 1795-1980. It is largely unchanged from the original "Union et Force" design of 1795, and shows Hercules with two women representing the allegories of Liberty and Equality.

Dupre's Hercules

An exceedingly late issue for a silver coin, France minted this design from 1795-1980. It is largely unchanged from the original "Union et Force" design of 1795, and shows Hercules with two women representing the allegories of Liberty and Equality.

After World War I, France was a poor country. Issuance of coinage in silver and gold, and even copper, was discontinued. Despite calls for German reparations, France was in no way "re-payed" for the war. Emergency Money, issued by local chambers of commerce, was issued both in paper, and in coin form in much cheaper metals.

Lucien Georges Bazor (1889–1974) was Chief Engraver at the Paris mint from 1930 to 1958. He was born in Paris in 1889 and initially studied under his father, Albert Bazor. Bazor later became the pupil of Patey at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. He won the Grand Prix de Rome in 1923 for his engraving.

Dupre's Hercules

An exceedingly late issue for a silver coin, France minted this design from 1795-1980. It is largely unchanged from the original "Union et Force" design of 1795, and shows Hercules with two women representing the allegories of Liberty and Equality.

Dupre's Hercules

An exceedingly late issue for a silver coin, France minted this design from 1795-1980. It is largely unchanged from the original "Union et Force" design of 1795, and shows Hercules with two women representing the allegories of Liberty and Equality.

Dupre's Hercules

An exceedingly late issue for a silver coin, France minted this design from 1795-1980. It is largely unchanged from the original "Union et Force" design of 1795, and shows Hercules with two women representing the allegories of Liberty and Equality.