France 50 centimes 1942 - French State (Francisque)

France · 1942 · 50 centimes

Circulating coinCommon

€0.38estimate

129,758,321coins minted

N18131 KM914

RAReference number RARA-4FUNN

Circulating coin

Francisque series of the French State (1942-1944)

The coin's story

This 50 centimes coin in aluminium alloyed with 5% magnesium was struck under the French State, the Vichy regime (1940-1944), and put into circulation on 7 May 1942. The obverse shows a francisque whose handle is a marshal's baton decorated with twenty-one stars, bearing S. PACIS at the top and PETAIN at the bottom, between two ears of wheat. The republican motto is replaced by TRAVAIL FAMILLE PATRIE (Work, Family, Fatherland). Both sides are the work of Lucien Bazor, who signs LB. This heavy version weighs 0.8 gram, Numista gives 129,758,321 pieces for 1942. The coin ceased to be legal tender on 31 July 1950.

ObverseThe Francisque

ÉTAT FRANÇAIS

Design: A francisque with a handle in the form of a starred marshal's baton, between two ears of wheat.
Legend: ÉTAT FRANÇAIS (French State).
Signature: LB.

LBEngraved by Lucien Georges Bazor

ReverseThe Oak Sprigs

TRAVAIL·FAMILLE·PATRIE 50 CENTIMES 1942

Design: Two oak sprigs, of four leaves and one acorn each, around the value.
Motto: ·TRAVAIL·FAMILLE· ·PATRIE· (Work, Family, Fatherland).
Denomination: 50 CENTIMES.
Date: 1942.

LBEngraved by Lucien Georges Bazor