France 5 Euros Commemorative 2003

France struck this 5 Euro coin in 2003 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tour de France, a grueling race that's outlasted empires.

The design features cyclists in mid-pedal, etched with the precision typical of French minting. It's composed of gold, though the exact alloy details depend on the series; I don't have those on hand from my notes.

Mintage figures? They're murky, as with many modern issues—possibly in the tens of thousands, but I'd rather not guess. Over three decades, I've turned these over in my palm and seen how they hold up better than the myths about their rarity.

Some call it a collector's item, but it's just metal with a story. And if you're holding out for it to climb in value, remember: coins don't train like Tour riders.