When was the French franc first introduced as a gold coin?
King John II of France minted the first franc à cheval in 1360 to pay a ransom to England. This gold coin weighed approximately 3.885 grams and depicted the king riding a decorated horse.
Questions about French franc
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who designed the decimal system for the French franc in 1795?
The National Convention established the decimal franc on the 17th of August 1795. Augustin Dupré designed the initial copper coins including denominations of 1 centime, 5 centimes, 1 décime, and 2 décimes.
What date did the euro replace the French franc at a fixed exchange rate?
The value exchange rate between the French franc and the euro became fixed on the 1st of January 1999. One euro equaled exactly 6.55957 francs during this transition period.
How many years did the French franc serve as currency before becoming obsolete?
The French franc functioned as the national currency from 1795 until 2002. Euro banknotes and coins replaced all franc legal tender by the 1st of March 2002.
Why was the name franc chosen for the new gold coin in 1360?
Authorities named the coin franc because it derived from the Latin word for free. The name signified King John II's release from captivity after being captured during the Hundred Years' War.