Posted 05/20/2014 10:55 pm
No, the French franc here is not a token. After WWI the French economy in a shambles they issued base-metal coinage in place of the silver 50cte, 1FF and 2FF. The hope was for it to be a short-lived measure, and I possess a silver trial strike of a 1928 franc that testifies to the hope of returning to the "Silver Sower" coins. Alas, add a Great Depression emanating out of the US and then another 'Great Conflagration' into the picture and silver issues would not return until 1960.
Despite the 'bon pour' language on it, the coin you see here circulated as a standard integer (with other issues) of the French economy until 1949, the year of its official demonetization and withdrawal.
Despite the 'bon pour' language on it, the coin you see here circulated as a standard integer (with other issues) of the French economy until 1949, the year of its official demonetization and withdrawal.
