Dark Side Help Needed! 1855 French coins in particular

RKKay

Hi everyone. I just read a note in the US Mint records indicating that, in 1855, France struck some coins which contained alloys of gold and copper, as well as those of silver and copper. Does anyone know what the specific proportions were in each coin? Thanks. Rick

ProofArtworkonCircs

Off the top of my head I would say the French gold coins were 900 fine , 100 copper although there was probably a trace of silver in them.
The 5 franc pieces were 900 fine silver and the smaller silver denominations were .835 fine. The US mint reduced silver 7 % by weight in 1853 for the lower denominations. France did the 7% by reducing the parity. I don't know the exact year .835 started.

(copied from the other side. Maybe the experts here can add on to it).

RKKay

Thanks. Any info on copper or bronzed piecs with small amounts of silver?