Can someone comment on these French coins?

delistamps

I've been liquidating an estate. Among a few boxes of foreign coins I found the following four items. While probably not as valuable as the silver coins, I thought they were among the most interesting of the lot. Can anyone shed light on them?

newsman

Victory in the Great War was a costly one for France, and it led to a serious debasement of the currency. The base metal coins you have are the result.

delistamps

Are the one and two franc coins regular government issues? The language "Good for one franc" and "Chamber of Commerce of France" suggest that they are not, but instead are a token for use in stores. Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the French.

SaorAlba

<< <i>Are the one and two franc coins regular government issues? The language "Good for one franc" and "Chamber of Commerce of France" suggest that they are not, but instead are a token for use in stores. Perhaps I'm misinterpreting the French. >>



They are literally issued by the Chamber of Commerce, the equivalent of the USA Department of Commerce. In essence they were official token issues - since they replaced the .900 fine LMU era silver franc coinages that disappeared with France's defeat in WWI. Oh, France was on the winning side in the war, but essentially France really lost the war since her economy was wrecked, a generation of males was practically wiped out etc.

In addition there were several issues by municipalities, notably Paris, but many other cities as well, of token coinage during that era. My favourites are my paper token coins from the city of Lille.

delistamps

Thanks for the insight!

Steve27

Nice coins, but retail for only about 3/$1 or less.

WillieBoyd2

Young Indiana Jones saved one of the French coins:

From the introduction to the DVDs of the "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones" series:



For more, visit:

Young Indiana Jones coins

olmanjon

Amazing-I didn't know all of that information on the commerce coins. Great place this forumn. Everyday you learn something new.
Olmanjon

delistamps

Thanks to all once again. These coins may not be worth much, but I think they are very, very cool. And WillieBoyd2 certainly gets the prize for esoteric knowledge!