10 francs Hercule silver coin

The 10-franc Hercule revives a design by Augustin Dupré from the French Revolution: Hercules bringing together Liberty and Equality, above the motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité. It was struck in silver from 1965 to 1973, after which French coins of this value went over to base metal.

What it contains

25 g of silver at 900 thousandths, or 22.5 g of fine silver: a little under three quarters of an ounce.

Why it is popular

French silver coins of this period trade close to the value of their metal, because they were struck in very large numbers. The Hercule is the biggest of them and is often bought by people who want silver in a familiar French form, by the unit or in small bags.

Good to know

Condition matters little for common years: these coins are priced on their silver content. A coin in exceptional condition or a rare date is a matter for a numismatist, not for a bullion purchase.