These minute marks appear on the rim, generally at 6:00, along with metal designation OR, Gold; ARGENT, Silver, sometimes with added 1, 2 or 3; CUIVRE, Copper; BRONZE; or ZINC. These marks provide at least an approximation of the date of striking through 1966.

Antique Lamp (Lampe Antique) . March 1832 - October 1841, Gold and Silver strikes.

Anchor and C interlaced (Ancre et C) , October 1841 - Sept. 1842. Bronze, Silver, Gold.

Prou Antique (Antique Prow) , 1842 - 1845.

Pointing Hand (Main Indicatrice) , June 1845- October 1860.

Bee (Abeille) , November 1860 - December 1879.

Cornucopia (Corne d'Abondance) , Jan. 1, 1880 - present.

Cornucopia plus date of actual striking, 1966 - present.

At one time numbers 1, 2, or 3 joined Argent to distinguish fineness in the economically disturbed decades after World War I:

Argent1 = Premier titre, believed .925 or what we call Sterling.

Argent2 = .900.

Argent3 = .835. This was the post-1867 statutory fineness for French minor coins of 2 Francs to 20 Centimes and cognate coins of the Latin Monetary Union nations.

To read the complete article, see:
Director and Engraver Edge Marks of the Paris Mint(www.exonumia.com/art/art_04.htm)

To read the complete article, see:
MONNAIE DE PARIS COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL CATALOGS(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v17n37a22.html)