What do you guys think of this 1943 franc? I don't know if it's worth much, but it's definitely an interesting piece of history, seeing as how it was made under nazi occupation and all. Feels to be made of some sort of tin, I can only assume due to wartime demand for heavier metals....but actually, I just read that francs had been made with alluminum for some time prior to the war. So...what do you think? and does anyone know around how many were minted?
This coin was issued by the French Vichy régime, which indeed collaborated with the German occupier. It displayes the Franconian axe on the oberse and the words TRAVAIL-FAMILLE-PATRIE (Work-Family-Home Country) on the reverse. It was minted in aluminum (that's why it's that light) in Paris (without mintmark) Krause gives as mintage for 1943 : 205,564,000 , so I am afraid it is hardly a rare coin (and it has a value of about a dime). This coin has been minted in Paris from 1942 to 1944, but also in Beaumont (mintmark B) in 1943 and 1944, and in Castelsarrasin (mintmark C) in 1944.
Hmm. The first French aluminum coins were issued in 1941 by the Vichy regime (État Français) and by the republic (République Française). And the "Republican" pieces were made until 1958/59 ... Then there are alloys such as aluminum-bronze which consist of 90-95 percent copper and 5-10 percent aluminum. Such coins had indeed been issued in France and several other countries prior to WW2. But if hold such a coin in your hand, the feel and the look do not say "aluminum" at all. Even the "Nordic Gold" that our (€) current 10, 20 and 50 cent coins are made from has a 5% aluminum content. Christian
If you ever watch an old movie called "The Train" with Burt Lancaster, there is a guy who puts these coins to an interesting use.
Thanks for the information, I didn't really think it was rare, or worth much, still a great piece of history though. What is the little mark that looks like an 'L' with a 'B' attached, on the right side of the axe blade? This is not a mintmark?
If I'm not mistaken, the mintmark on these coins would be directly above the ax handle. In spite of being aluminum this era of coins from france are some of my favorite world coins. I believe there was also a similar 50 cent, 2 franc and 5 franc coins from Vichy (I think)
Hello, There are actually 50 c, 1 Fr and 2 Fr, pretty common as they wherewidely struck. There are also 5 Fr and 10 Fr much more scarce in that they have been minted and retired very quickly. Cucumbor
There was a 5 Franc coin struck under the Vichy regime.This depicts a portrait of Marshal Henri Petain facing left.It was struck in nickel as opposed to aluminium.Furthermore,this coin was never released into circulation. In a sense,it could be regarded as a semi-pattern coin. Aidan.
