Arthus Bertrand Franc coin sautoir

Name: Arthus Bertrand Franc coin sautoir
Brand: AUric Vintage
SKU: V26-072
Price: 795.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

€795,00

Arthus Bertrand 1 Franc coin sautoir in Sterling silver. A substantial trombone link chain suspends seven silver frames each containing a French 1 Franc coin. Three from 1960 and each from 1999, 1978, 1961, 1978. The French 1 Franc coin was designed by Henri Lagriffoul and was the last Franc design used before the adoption of the Euro. Fitted with an open S-scroll closure, the piece is marked 925 for Sterling silver and bears the maker's mark for Arthus-Bertrand. Measuring 71cm in length.

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Looking through the LOUPE

MATERIALS

Silver

AGE

c.2000

SIZE

71cm in length

WEIGHT

97.6 g

MARKS

Marked 925, maker's mark for Arthus Bertrand

The coin's design features Marianne, the enduring symbol of the French Republic, depicted in profile wearing a laurel wreath to the obverse, with the inscription République Française. The reverse displays the denomination framed by an olive branch and oak wreath, symbolising peace and strength, together with the national motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité and the date.

Diameter: 24 mm
Thickness: 1.8 mm
Weight: 7.5 g
Composition: Nickel
Edge: Reeded (milled)
Circulation: 1960–2001.

French 1 Franc Marianne

1960-2001

France / 1803-

Arthus-Bertrand

This is the unlikely tale of a publisher during the Napoleonic Empire becoming a renowned French jewellery house. Established in 1803 by Claude Arthus-Bertrand, the company eventually moved away from publishing to pursue his father-in-law’s business in military insignia, flags, and medals.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the house became synonymous with excellence in medal-making. It is notably responsible for the manufacture of the Légion d’Honneur medal, one of France’s most prestigious national distinctions, further cementing its place in French cultural history.

By 1937, the maison released its highly anticipated jewellery collection. Building on this success, it continued to evolve, drawing inspiration from the artistic movements that followed throughout the 20th century. In the 2000s, the house introduced its now-iconic coin necklaces, reinterpreting historical medals and symbols into contemporary jewellery that quickly gained popularity for their timeless appeal.

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2000 - 2009

Noughties

If you want to glimpse the opulence of the early 21st century, look no further than its celebrity engagements, those glittering declarations of love that doubled as cultural signposts. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, in their first iteration, sealed their romance with a 6.1-carat fancy pink diamond, less a ring than a headline. Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin ushered in the era of the diamond halo, intensifying the sparkle, while Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt chose an Art Nouveau spiral solitaire, delicate yet deliberate, a nod to romance with a studied edge.

There was no ambiguity. More was more. Scale mattered. Presence mattered. Jewellery wasn’t an accent, it was the point. Platinum and white gold dominated, their cool, reflective surfaces offering modern sheen. Earrings stretched longer, swung wider, catching light in motion, whether paired with denim or couture.

Colour found its voice. Turquoise and coral appeared in bold, unapologetic strokes, like punctuation marks against luminous palettes. And yet, diamonds held their throne. They were the ultimate eye-catching tool, used by the powerful and beautiful for centuries.