France 1944 2 francs KM-905
This specimen was lot 458 in Classical Numismatic Group's sale of the Lissner Collection (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $193.60. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRANCE, France Libre. 1940-1944. Æ-AL 2 Francs. Philadelphia mint. Dated 1944. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 66. Choice uncirculated with just a hint of patina and full mint bloom. Struck after the D-Day invasion for use during the allied occupation." This type was issued to the American soldiers invading Algeria and later the South of France. Gen. de Gaulle was not consulted regarding this issue and he denounced it as illegal at the first opportunity. The coin was demonetized in 1949.
Recorded mintage: 50 million.
Specification: 8.15 g, aluminum bronze, 27 mm diameter; this specimen: Ø28 mm, 8.05 g, 6h axis.
Catalog reference: F.271/1, VG 537; KM 905.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Teller, M. Louis, and Victor England, Jr., The Richard Lissner Collection, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, 2014.
- Gadoury, Victor, Monnaies Françaises, 1789-2019, 24me éd., Monaco: Éditions Victor Gadoury, 2019.
- Prieur, Michel, and Laurent Schmitt, Le Franc 10: Les Monnaies, Paris: Éditions les Chevau-légers, 2014.
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