Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 20 Francs 1953, KM# 7, Madagascar
  • 20 Francs 1953, KM# 7, Madagascar
Description

The Colony of Madagascar and Dependencies (French: Colonie de Madagascar et dépendances) was a French colony off the coast of Southeast Africa between 1897 and 1958.

Engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor

Obverse

Depicts Mariane's head left, wearing a winged Phrygian cap, modern ships lower left and right behind the head, date in exergue. Surrounded by the inscription "French Republic French Union".

Marianne is a national symbol of the French Republic, an allegory of liberty and reason, and a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty. It is a significant Republican symbol, opposed to monarchy, and an icon of freedom and democracy against all forms of dictatorship. Her profile stands out on the official government logo of the country, is engraved on French euro coins and appears on French postage stamps; it also was featured on the former franc currency.

A cornucopia (the logo of the Paris Mint) on the left of the date. A wing (privy mark of Lucien Georges Bazor, Chief Engraver at the Paris Mint from 1930 to 1958) on the right of the date. G.B.L. Bazor signature above.

REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE UNION FRANÇAISE
L.BAZOR G.B.
1953

Reverse

Depicts a value within the horns of the zebu head in front of a map of the country in the middle surrounded by a cluster of crops from Madagascar (rice, maze, sugarcane, tobacco, and ylang-ylang above them), country name below.

A zebu (Bos primigenius indicus or Bos indicus or Bos taurus indicus), sometimes known as indicine cattle or humped cattle, is a species or subspecies of domestic cattle originating in South Asia. Zebu are characterised by a fatty hump on their shoulders, a large dewlap, and sometimes drooping ears. They are well adapted to withstanding high temperatures, and are farmed throughout the tropical countries, both as pure zebu and as hybrids with taurine cattle, the other main type of domestic cattle. Zebu are used as draught and riding animals, dairy cattle, and beef cattle, as well as for byproducts such as hides and dung for fuel and manure. Zebu, namely miniature zebu, are kept as companion animals.

20
FRANC
MADAGASCAR

Edge

20 Francs

French Colony
KM# 7 Lec# 112
Characteristics
Material Aluminium Bronze
Weight 4 g
Diameter 23.2 mm
Thickness 1.5 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Paris Mint (A)

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