Marianne seated left with fasces between plants and anchor, date and engraver's name in exergue, inscription "French Republic" above.

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.

Fasces (from the Latin word fascis, meaning "bundle") is a bound bundle of wooden rods, sometimes including an axe with its blade emerging. The fasces typically appeared in a context reminiscent of the Roman Republic and of the Roman Empire. The French Revolution used many references to the ancient Roman Republic in its imagery. During the First Republic, topped by the Phrygian cap, the fasces is a tribute to the Roman Republic and means that power belongs to the people. It also symbolizes the "unity and indivisibility of the Republic", as stated in the French Constitution. There is the fasces in the arms of the French Republic with the "RF" for République française. While it is used widely by French officials, this symbol never was officially adopted by the government.

Value above mint marks inside a wreath with oak and olive leaves and spikes, surrounded by the state name (French Indochina) and fine weight (fineness 0.680, weight 2.7 grams).

Mintmark of the Paris Mint (left): Cornucopia and A (except 1937)
Engraver general's privy mark (right): wing (Lucien Georges Bazor, 1931-1957)