Banque de France
Obverse
Marianne in armor, with helmet and wings. French: Centenaire de la Banque de France 1800-1900 (Centennary of the Bank of France, 1800-1900)
Reverse
France and young woman overlooking a developing countryside scene. French: Confiance et Travail (Trust and Work)
Engraved by Louis-Oscar Roty
Louis-Oscar Roty (born in Paris, 1846-1911) studied painting as well as sculpture and was pupil to Lecoq de
Boisboudran, Dumont and Ponscarme. In 1872 Roty competed for the Prix de Rome for which he received a second prize
award, from 1873 he exhibited at the Salon. Roty received the Grand Rrix de Rome in 1875 and spent three years
in Italy before returning to Paris. In 1888 he was appointed professor and in 1897 President of the Académie
des Beaux-Arts. In 1889 he was awarded a Grand Prix at the Exposition Universelle in Paris and was created Officer
of the Legion of Honor the same year. In 1905 he received a medal of honour at the Salon. He became a Commander of
the Legion of Honor which crowned a very successful career. His works are to be found in all European museums, a
great number of his medals and plaquettes can be viewed in the Kunsthalle Hamburg and the Musée Oscar Roty in
Jargeau/France.
Roty is also known as the artist behind the famous "Semeuse" design on french stamps and coins.