VTS - French aluminum

spoon

It's been a while since we've done one of these. For the newcomers, VTS stands for Virtual Type Set. Really it's just a community trophy case that also (hopefully) provides a bit of reference to others. Anyone can post pics, info, comments here. Anyone can start their own VTS thread on any topic. Most of all, don't worry about condition. Seeing a coin in several different grades could help us all understand how to better grade our own coins. Search "VTS" for previous threads.


This one:
French Aluminum

This is kind of a broad category. Some of you may remember that a while back I said I wanted to make a type set of 1 franc pieces in aluminum from the French colonies. I've got all but a few now. Most of them have local pedigrees too
So, might as well start up the VTS. This thread isn't going to be limited to just 1F colonials though.. at least it won't be if you guys contribute! If you have anything both French and aluminum--doesn't matter what--post a pic here!!

(if anyone needs image hosting help, PM me)

[ pics to follow ]

spoon

Saint Pierre & Miquelon



Background on these islands near Canada

This is the 1 franc coin. Only two types were made for these islands, both aluminum and both minted in Paris in 1948.
Mintage for this 1F was 600K. Price in Unc = around $5.

spoon

French Somaliland now Djibouti

Obverse similar to St Pierre & Miquelon's obv.


KM 8 - Minted in 1959 (500K) and 1965 (200K) in Paris. Prices in Unc = around $3

boiler78

Heres my only French aluminum coin. Pattern 10 centimes

cladking

Wow!! The aluminum in the 10C was was worth more than gold when it was made (apparently).

The Saint Pierre et Miquelon coin is readily available especially in this area. The French Somliland
coin is much tougher though not scarce. This one is scarce in gem though.

NJMark1

Madagascar I franc 1958
Mintage 2.6
Value 2.75
KM# 3

Mark

NJMark1

Reunion 1 franc 1964
Mintage 1.0
KM#6.1
Value 2.50

Mark

satootoko

In 1943 the French Vichy government collaberated with the Germans and a portion of the country was left under Vichy control, and was not occupied by the Germans. (That's the government Claude Rains' character represented in the movie Casablanca).



In 1952 present day French Polynesia was composed of several discrete colonial areas, including French Oceana.

spoon

Cool coins everyone! Here's one a little different:

Morocco under French Protectorate



Y 48 - 1370AH//1951. There were also 1 and 2 franc pieces made this year (all one yr types) in aluminum. Mintages not listed.

Shipcoin

Very interesting, Spoon! I have in my ship coins collection about 15-20 of such coins, from former French colonies, because some of them have sail ships on them: as St. Pier & Mickelon and French Polynesia, Oceania and etc. For a long time Iwas looked for any info about their common obv., that shows at many of them (like at your first image) 4 ships in the harbour. Do you know or does anybody here know what Harbour or what ships were "archetype" of that depiction?

Thanks in advance for any info on that topic!

spoon

Good question, Nick. That's something I've wondered about myself too but I haven't been able to find any good references so I don't know Maybe someone else here can help us out

Here are two more coins which share that similar obverse.. and similar reverses to each other too:

Left = Cameroun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Right = Equitoral Africa


These were both minted only in 1948 (Cameroun = 8M, KM 8; AEF = 15M, KM 6--Paris). The West Africa 1Fs shared a similar reverse in 1948 and '55 as well (but I don't have one of those.. hint, hint ).

tbirde56

Here's a coin and a token: