France – Scott # 789

Description

Issued in 1956, France Scott #789 commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Verdun (1916), one of the most significant and devastating engagements of World War I. The powerful engraved design depicts French soldiers advancing through a shattered trench landscape, capturing the endurance, sacrifice, and grim resolve associated with Verdun.

The composition emphasizes movement and tension, with figures rendered in dark, somber tones against a scarred battlefield punctuated by shell bursts and broken terrain. The inscription “40e Anniversaire de la Bataille de Verdun – 1916–1956” anchors the historical context, while the 30-franc denomination reflects mid-1950s commemorative issues of the Fourth Republic.

This example is offered mint never hinged, with full original gum, clean margins, sharp perforations, and strong, unfaded color. A striking memorial issue appealing to collectors of France, World War I history, military themes, and engraved commemoratives.

• Country: France

• Year of Issue: 1956

• Scott Number: 789

• Denomination: 30 francs

• Condition: Mint Never Hinged (MNH)