Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 100 Francs 1994, KM# 1045.1, France, 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of Paris, Liberation
  • 100 Francs 1994, KM# 1045.1, France, 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of Paris, Liberation
Description

The Liberation of Paris (French: Libération de Paris) was a military battle that took place during World War II from 19 August 1944 until the German garrison surrendered the French capital on 25 August 1944. Paris had been ruled by Nazi Germany since the signing of the Second Compiègne Armistice on 22 June 1940, after which the Wehrmacht occupied northern and western France.

The liberation began when the French Forces of the Interior—the military structure of the French Resistance—staged an uprising against the German garrison upon the approach of the US Third Army, led by General George Patton. On the night of 24 August, elements of General Philippe Leclerc's 2nd French Armored Division made their way into Paris and arrived at the Hôtel de Ville shortly before midnight. The next morning, 25 August, the bulk of the 2nd Armored Division and US 4th Infantry Division entered the city. Dietrich von Choltitz, commander of the German garrison and the military governor of Paris, surrendered to the French at the Hôtel Meurice, the newly established French headquarters. General Charles de Gaulle of the French Army arrived to assume control of the city as head of the Provisional Government of the French Republic.

Obverse

Depicts General de Gaulle and his entourage proudly stroll down the Champs Élysées to Notre Dame Cathedral for a Te Deum ceremony following the city's liberation on 25 August 1944. The national motto of France (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) below.

The Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 1.9 kilometres (1.2 mi) long and 70 metres (230 ft) wide, running between the Place de la Concorde and the Place Charles de Gaulle, where the Arc de Triomphe is located.

Monogram of Atelier de Gravure des Monnaies et Médailles (group of designers of the Paris Mint): Rosette (letters "agmm") under the crowd on the right.

LIBERTÉ ★ ÉGALITÉ ★ FRATERNITÉ

Reverse

Battle scene (troops and a tank), Notre Dame de Paris on the background, date and country code on the right, denomination below.

Mint mark: Cornucopia, horn of plenty (Paris Mint - Paris until 1972 or Pessac from 1973)

Privy mark of the Mint's Chief Engraver: Bee - Pierre Rodier (1994-2000)

LIBÉRATION DE PARIS
ROMILLY
RF
1994
100F

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 15 g
Diameter 31 mm
Thickness 2.3 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Paris Mint (A)

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