France 1935 5 francs

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This specimen is one of a type struck 1933-39 for France at the Paris mint. Of the six dates issued, two are common (1933 and 1935), two are tough (1937 and 1938) and two are very rare (1936 and 1939--counterfeits exist of these dates). It was superseded by an aluminum-bronze coin of the same design, struck 1938-40 and 1945-47. This issue consumed 650 metric tons of nickel, soon to be a vital strategic metal during World War Two.

Recorded mintage: 54,164,533.

Specification: 12 g, nickel, 31 mm diameter, plain edge, engraved by André-Henri Lavrillier.

Catalog reference: F.336/4, KM-888; Gad-760.

Source:

• Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.

Link to:

• 1933 5 francs, Bazor
• 1933 5 francs, Lavrillier
• 1935 5 centimes
• 1935 franc
• 1935 100 francs
• 1936 5 francs
• Coins and currency dated 1935