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I need a French coin expert please

AFNCoinAFNCoin Posts: 20
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
I have a coin that the dealer had listed as a French-Colonial 5 Franc coin. However now that I am home it doesn't look like any of the Colonial coins that I can find. It is made of Aluminum, I don't think it is mixed with any other alloy, and it is the year 1945, yet it looks like the 5 franc coins listed from 1933-1940 (KM# 888), then I found in the Pieforts with essai the exact picture of my coin, first of all what is a piefort with essai mean, and is there any other 5 Francs coins that look like this coin anywhere else? Because the coin that is listed under the Piefort category is referanced under the KM# 888, and the coin I'm sure is 100% aluminum. Any help would be helpfull even though I probably confused the heck out of you with my description.
"True Patriots of liberty sprout from the toils of truth."

Comments

  • 1jester1jester Posts: 8,637 ✭✭✭
    I'm sorry I can't answer any of your questions, but I did want to extend to you a hearty and warm welcome to what we call the "Darkside."

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    .....GOD
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    "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." -Luke 11:9

    "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." -Deut. 6:4-5

    "For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." -Isaiah 33:22
  • hookedoncoinshookedoncoins Posts: 1,231 ✭✭✭
    I would also like to welcome you to the Darkside.

    My 20th century krause is a good 300 miles away, so I can't be of too much help. The coin could be from French Polynesia. I know they used aluminum 5 francs of that era. If you describe the coin in detail, that would help.

  • MadMuffinMadMuffin Posts: 468 ✭
    A piefort is coin struck double thick. In your case it would make the coin 7-8mm thick. If you have an essai, there would be a very small "ESSAI" below the wreath on the reverse.

    I checked the French colonies that I could think of and found no such coin. I believe that what you have is a KM888b 5 franc - this coin IS aluminum and was struck with different mint marks between 1945 and 1950. It is not pictured in Krause, but you will find it listed a bit further down from KM888.

    Welcome to the forums!

    Marcel
    Ebay user name: 00MadMuffin00
  • spoonspoon Posts: 2,798 ✭✭✭
    Does it look like this? I'm not sure if that's what you're talking about and I don't have a Krause that lists essai coins.. but I don't recall ever seeing any colonial issue essai from that time frame?? There's plenty from the 60s


    Hey, you wouldn't happen to be with AFN TV would ya? I've got beef.. why in the #@$% does AFN waste time with junk like The Parkers?!!

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  • tbirde56tbirde56 Posts: 2,161
    Try KM-PE311 (piedfort essai), the 1945-7 5 Francs coins 'struck for colonial use in Africa', but had the same design as the regular issues KM-888a.2.
    Brad Swain

    World Coin & PM Collector
    My Coin Info Pages <> My All Experts Profile
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  • AFNCoinAFNCoin Posts: 20
    Thanks for the welcome. I have been trying to understand my new Krause catalog for a while now, so many things to still learn.
    "True Patriots of liberty sprout from the toils of truth."
  • MadMuffinMadMuffin Posts: 468 ✭
    It's bit confusing that the coin you have is not pictured in Krause. But there is a logic to the catalog numbers. KM888 is the main type, struck in nickel. When the metal is changed but not the design the coin will be numbered KM888a, KM888b and so on.

    If there is a slight change in the design (such as different mint marks), but no change of metal, the coins will be numbered KM888.1, KM888.2 and so on.

    These particular 5 franc coins both have slight changes in design AND metal changes. That is why you get strange catalog numbers such as "KM888a.1".

    Marcel
    Ebay user name: 00MadMuffin00
  • AFNCoinAFNCoin Posts: 20
    Thanks for the help on this one, I believe it isn't a colonial after all. It isn't double thick and does not have the Essai under the wreath either. I purchased this because I have purchased other French colonial pieces (also aluminum) from French Oceania but not a big deal I will just stick it in my France binder at the house.

    Here's a good question, what in your opinion is the best/most beautiful coin struck in Aluminum? (If any)


    AFN (Not related to AFN T.V. or any of it's affiliates, neither are the views expressed in this forum or any forum that deals directly or subversly with AFN T.V.)image
    "True Patriots of liberty sprout from the toils of truth."
  • MadMuffinMadMuffin Posts: 468 ✭


    << <i>Here's a good question, what in your opinion is the best/most beautiful coin struck in Aluminum? (If any) >>



    Now that IS a good question! Most aluminum coins are and were small change and not very artistic in my opinion. But in recent years North Korea has made some pretty neat commems in aluminum (I don't have any pictures, sorry) - they are crown-sized, prooflike and feature some traditional buildings and monuments. I have seen some of them around, but I don't think that they are that common.

    Around a century ago it was not uncommon to strike medals and tokens in aluminum. I have seen some strange and funny stuff from that era as well.

    Marcel
    Ebay user name: 00MadMuffin00
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