Obverse
REPVBLIQVE FRANÇAISE MORLON
Bust of Marianne on the left, phrygian hat, legend “REPVBLIQVE FRANÇAISE”, signed MORLON.
PMEngraved by Pierre-Alexandre Morlon
France 1 franc 1934
France · 1934 · 1 francCommon
€0.42minimum price
17,285,800coins minted
N707 KM885
The coin's story
The issuance of this coin of 1 franc in 1934 coincides with a critical period of the Third Republic. France was then severely affected by the Great Depression, resulting in massive unemployment and profound social instability. In addition, a corruption scandal (the Stavisky Affair) breaks out and feeds a violent anti-parliamentarianism. The peak was reached on February 6, 1934, when an extreme right-wing riot put the Republic at risk. This coin is therefore struck in a climate of great tension, between lasting economic crisis and violent political crisis.
Reverse
LIBERTE-EGALITE FRATERNITE 1 FRANC 1934
Motto “LIBERTE-EGALITE FRATERNITE” at the top, central value, date 1934 at the bottom between two horns of abundance.
PMEngraved by Pierre-Alexandre Morlon
Specifications
- Denomination1 franc
- Year1934
- Mintage17,285,800
- MintMonnaie de Paris
- MaterialBronze aluminium (Cu-Al)
- ShapeRound
- Diameter23 mm
- Thickness1.7 mm
- Weight4 g
- EdgePlain
- ScriptsLatin
Actual size
Actual size compared with the 2 € and 1 € coins. Thickness: 1.7 mm.
Composition
Copper 95 %
5 centimes1931 · 17 mm
50 centimes1933 · 18 mm
10 centimes1930 · 23 mm
5 francs1933 · 23.7 mm
5 francs1933 · 31 mm
