1 euro FRANCE (1999-2002)

in the coin centre a simplified tree; hexagon in the background; on both sides of the tree letters: RF (RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE - French Republic); along the top edge motto of France: LIBERTÉ ÉGALITÉ FRATERNITÉ (liberty, equality, fraternity); at the edge a ring of twelve five-pointed stars - symbol of the European Union; the lowest star divides the year of issue

left from the coin centre face value: 1, on the right inscription: EURO; in the background of the inscription a simplified map of Europe showing borders of countries - members of the EU in 1999; in the background of the map vertically six parallel lines ending on both sides with five-pointed stars (the reverse is common for all euro coins)

three plain and three reeded sections

1 I 2002

in circulation

Joaquin Jimenez (signature J.JIMENEZ below letter F on the right side of the tree in the obverse), Luc Luycx (initials LL below letter O in EURO in the reverse)

La Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint), Pessac (mint mark before the highest star in the obverse, after the highest star privy mark of mint's director Pierre Rodier - bee leftwards - in 1999 and - bee rightwards in 2000, or Gérard Buquoy - horseshoe - in years 2001-2002, or Serge Levet - heart - in 2003, or Hubert Larivière - horn - in years 2004-2006)

1999	301 050 000	bee	+ 35 000 in annual boxed sets
2000	297 270 000	bee	+ 35 000 in annual boxed sets
2001	150 216 624	horseshoe	+ 35 000 in annual boxed sets
2002	129 324 000	horseshoe	+ 165 290 in annual boxed sets
2003	-	heart	+ 242 342 in annual boxed sets
2004	-	horn	+ 160 000 in annual boxed sets
2005	-	horn	+ 120 000 in annual boxed sets
2006	-	horn	+ 80 000 in annual boxed sets

In the coin obverse there is a hexagon (in French l'Hexagone), which is among the French a nickname for their country. Indeed the shape of the Metropolitan France reminds this geometric figure.