Obverse: The set consists of eight French euro coins ranging from 1 cent to 2 euros. The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins depict a young Marianne, a traditional symbol of the French Republic and its values. The 10, 20 and 50 cent coins feature the Sower, derived from a classic French coin motif and surrounded by the stars of the European Union. The €1 and €2 coins depict a stylised tree within a hexagon, symbolising life, continuity and growth. It is surrounded by the motto of the French Republic LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ and the letters RF. The coins included in the set are dated 1999, 2000 and 2001.
Reverse: The reverse of the coins features the first common European design corresponding to each euro denomination. The 1, 2 and 5 cent coins depict Europe in relation to the world, while the 10, 20 and 50 cent and €1 and €2 coins depict the European Union member states of the time. The common sides of the euro coins were designed by Luc Luycx.
About the coins: These coins belong to the first series of French national euro coin designs. Although euro banknotes and coins entered circulation in France on 1 January 2002, French euro coins had already been minted from 1999, which is why the early issues bear the dates 1999, 2000 and 2001. The Marianne portrait on the cent coins was designed by Fabienne Courtiade, the Sower motif on the 10, 20 and 50 cent coins by Laurent Jorio, and the tree design on the €1 and €2 coins by Joaquim Jimenez. These three motifs were selected to combine traditional symbols of the French Republic with the idea of European integration.
