France 1, 2, 5, and 10 Centimes 1870 to 1898

I like these old French coins. The designs are full and bold. The one in the picture is a 10 centimes piece which carries some value in better grades. Most of these coins that you see in coin dealer's windows are worn to a frazzle. In this case, value is a few US dollars, less than $5 usually.

Four denominations, the 1, 2, 5, and 10 centimes, were minted in the late 1800s. They all have essentially the same pattern, with the woman on the front and the wreath on the back.

The coin in the picture comes from RicksCoinStop.com. It is in much better shape than most. Rick is selling the coin for $10, and that's a good price.

The listings below give approximate catalog values.

1 CENTIME
worn: $1 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $5
well preserved: $12
fully uncirculated: $20
1 centimes dated 1872K catalog for $10 in average circulated condition
1 centimes dated 1878K catalog for $20 in average circulated condition
1 centimes dated 1882A through to 1890A catalog for $10 in average circulated
1 centimes dated 1893A catalog for $9 in average circulated

2 CENTIMES
worn: $2 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $6
well preserved: $15
fully uncirculated: $25
2 centimes dated 1893A catalog for $15 in average circulated condition
2 centimes dated 1894A catalog for $20 in average circulated condition


5 CENTIMES
worn: $2 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $6
well preserved: $15
fully uncirculated: $30
5 centimes dated 1877A, 1878A and 1879A (anchor with bar) catalog for $35 in average circulated condition
5 centimes dated 1896A with a torch (not a fasces) catalog for $85 in average circulated condition
5 centimes dated 1896A with a fasces as well as 1897A are common, divide the above values by 2.

10 CENTIMES
worn: $3 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $8
well preserved: $20
fully uncirculated: $40
10 centimes dated 1875A catalog for $65 in average circulated condition
10 centimes dated 1876A, 1877A and 1878A catalog for $30 in average circulated condition
10 centimes dated 1871K and 1878K are rare and catalog for over $100 in average circulated condition

All the values on this page are catalog values, which are inflated values. Use our Important Terminology page (link at upper left) to convert catalog value to actual buy and sell values.