Commemorative 10 Francs Bastille

The most striking fact about this 1989 French 10 Francs coin is its depiction of the Bastille fortress in ruins on the reverse, complete with broken chains and a Phrygian cap, symbolizing the raw moment that ignited the Revolution.

Struck at the Paris Mint in .900 fine silver, it weighs 22.2 grams and measures 37 millimeters across, with an edge inscribed "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité." The obverse features Marianne, the Republic's emblem, her profile etched with the kind of detail that numismatists appreciate for its historical accuracy. Mintage figures aren't precisely known, as records from that era can be spotty.

Some enthusiasts claim it circulated widely, but most ended up in collections, not pockets. If you handle one, note the proof finish—it's prone to fingerprints, a minor nuisance for the overly fastidious.