Coin Pièce France 5 francs Silver 1849 BB Strasbourg

The 1849 Hercules 5 francs coin, struck at the Strasbourg mint (mintmark BB), belongs to the context of the French Second Republic, a pivotal period in the nation's monetary history. This coin type, whose design is attributed to Auguste Dupré for the figure of Hercules, had already been used under the First Republic before being reintroduced in 1848 as a symbol of republican values.

The obverse of the coin depicts Hercules standing, an allegorical figure of the French Republic, flanked by the figures of Liberty and Equality, whom he unites with a protective gesture. This composition, laden with republican symbolism, is accompanied by the legend « LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ ». The reverse displays the face value 5 FRANCS as well as the year of issue 1849, surrounded by a wreath of vegetation.

Struck in silver with a fineness of 900?, this coin has a weight of 24.87 grams and a diameter of 37 millimetres, metric characteristics that conform to the monetary standards of the period. The Strasbourg mint's production for this 1849 issue reaches a substantial mintage of 2,594,259 examples, reflecting the young Republic's significant need for currency in circulation.

The Strasbourg mint, identified by the mintmark BB, was one of the most active provincial mints in France during the 19th century. Its production of Hercules 5 francs coins in 1849 is part of a coordinated national minting effort to ensure the circulation of a strong and homogeneous currency across the entire French territory. The characteristic strike quality of this mint is generally well represented on the preserved examples of this issue.