Obverse: the obverse depicts a young boy playing a fife, inspired by Édouard Manet’s famous painting “Le Fifre”. The initials “RF” (République Française), the year “1996”, and the artist’s signature “Manet” appear alongside the figure.
Reverse: the reverse features the denomination “10 Francs” and its equivalent value “1/2 euro”, surrounded by twelve stars symbolizing the European Union. Around the edge are the inscriptions “Trésors des Musées d'Europe” and the French national motto “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”.
About the coin: this silver coin belongs to France’s “Treasures of the Museums of Europe” series, dedicated to celebrated works of art. It honors “Le Fifre” (The Fifer), a painting created by Édouard Manet in 1866. The design combines French cultural heritage with the transition toward the euro currency, making it an interesting numismatic issue from the late franc era.
