On 4 October 1981, the French government devalues the franc by 3 %, while the Federal Republic of Germany revalues its national currency by 5.5 %. On 16 October 1981, French cartoonist Louis Mitelberg, also known as Tim, criticises this depreciation of the French franc, which he believes will ultimately benefit Germany. Federal Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, while kissing the hand of the ‘Sower’, is shown grabbing part of the franc’s value. The Sower, an allegorical figure depicted on the one franc coin since 1897, embodies the notion of a hardworking, industrious France.