France 1960 5 francs

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This specimen is one of a type struck in Paris 1960-69 for the Fifth Republic and its new franc (1 new franc = 100 old francs). The early dates (1960-67) were meant to circulate but were hoarded instead. This silver issue was less than half the weight of the old silver écu of five francs, last issued in 1878. It was superseded by a nickel coin issued 1970-2000.

Recorded mintage: 55,082,000.

Specification: 12 g, 0.835 fine silver, 29 mm diameter, edge lettered LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE, after a design by Oscar Roty (1846-1911).

Catalog reference: KM 926, F.340/4.

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:

• 1937 5 francs
• France 1960 franc struck in gold
• 1961 5 francs
• Coins and currency dated 1960