halfdisme
Joined: 6-Oct-2017
Posts: 849
Posted: 28-Apr-2018, 20:36
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Posted: 28-Apr-2018, 20:36
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What is the significance/reason for the "Hercules group" design on the France 5 francs of the Third Republic?
CassTaylor
Joined: 30-May-2014
Posts: 8551
Posted: 29-Apr-2018, 15:59
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Posted: 29-Apr-2018, 15:59
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Quote: "halfdisme"What is the significance/reason for the "Hercules group" design on the France 5 francs of the Third Republic?
That's actually a really interesting question that I'm not sure how to answer myself. I always accepted it was some sort of personification of "Liberté Égalité Fraternité" (though I'm not sure which would be which).
Another theory I put forward was that it symbolised opposing sides of the French Revolution coming together in peace after the Thermidorian Reaction stabilised the 1st French Republic (the émigrés that fled France in 1792 returned in 1794-5 after the Terror ended). This could be supported by the fact that Dupré's Herculean trio first appeared not in the 1870s, but
all the way back in 1795.
oggy
Joined: 8-Mar-2016
Posts: 1777
Posted: 29-Apr-2018, 18:41
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Posted: 29-Apr-2018, 18:41
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halfdisme
Joined: 6-Oct-2017
Posts: 849
Posted: 29-Apr-2018, 19:21
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Posted: 29-Apr-2018, 19:21
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Thank you.
We often overlook the symbolism that is included in our coin designs--and in coats of arms.
oggy
Joined: 8-Mar-2016
Posts: 1777
Posted: 29-Apr-2018, 21:19
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Posted: 29-Apr-2018, 21:19
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Yep, it's interesting. Was reading about it a few weeks back and thought I'd just give you what I read instead of trying to paraphrase!
edduns
Joined: 17-Oct-2013
Posts: 783
Posted: 29-Apr-2018, 21:37
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Posted: 29-Apr-2018, 21:37
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