France - 10 Euro Silver proof, EL DORADO, 2025

In the 16th century, fascinated by tales of a king covered in gold offering treasures to a sacred lake, the Spanish conquistadors embarked on a frantic quest to find the trail of El Dorado, the Golden Man. Francisco Pizarro's expedition in 1532 led to the capture of Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor, and the hope of a fabulous treasure. But the city of El Dorado remained elusive, forever nourishing the myth of elusive wealth hidden deep in the jungle. The obverse of this coin features an original composition by Engraver General Joaquin Jimenez. The two portraits facing each other represent a Spanish conquistador and Atahualpa, the last Inca emperor. In the center, a gilded Inca idol “EL DORADO”, above the mythical lake where an Inca lord covered in gold dust is said to have offered the lake significant assets to appease the divinity in the water. This coin features selective fine gold gilding, echoing the myth. The reverse features a modernized adaptation of the sower by engraver Louis-Oscar Roty, revealing a heraldic version of the French flag on the drape of her dress. The letters “RF” for “French Republic” are also encircled by an interlace of hexagons reminiscent of France.