The Last Franc
The Franc was France's monetary unit for over 200 years. To commemorate its long history, the French Mint issued a brilliant uncirculated commemorative silver Franc coin in 2001 under the name: “UN ULTIME FRANC” (one last franc).
Reverse: At the bottom, the inscription: “UN ULTIME FRANC” on the frosty surface.
Obverse: A large “1” on the right side of the frosty surface.
Edge: The year of issue, “RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE” for “French Republic”, “STARCK”, and “LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ”, the motto of France.
This silver coin has a very unusual design. It is struck on a thick warped blank and its edge inscription is very faint. It is a remarkable commemorative silver coin honoring the nation’s monetary heritage. The large 1 is located off-center to symbolize the transition to the euro. As a part of the European Community, France changed its monetary unit from the Franc to the euro in 2001.
Designed by Philippe Starck, this wavy ultimate franc symbolically undulates from the franc as a currency to the franc as a souvenir. One can think of it as the silver handkerchief waved at the loved one as a farewell.
