1 Franc

Đơn vị phát hành French Equatorial Africa
Năm 1943
Loại Standard circulation coin
Mệnh giá 1 Franc
Tiền tệ Franc (1917-1945)
Chất liệu Bronze
Trọng lượng 5.5 g
Đường kính 25 mm
Độ dày 1.5 mm
Hình dạng Round
Kỹ thuật Milled
Hướng Coin alignment ↑↓
Nghệ nhân khắc Coert Laurens Steynberg
Lưu hành đến
Tài liệu tham khảo KM#2a, Schön#5a, Lec#11
Mô tả mặt trước Rooster left, small shield above
Chữ viết mặt trước Latin
Chữ khắc mặt trước RF AFRIQUE EQUATORIALE FRANCAISE LIBRE C.L.S.
Mô tả mặt sau Motto of France, value divided by the croix de Lorraine, date, and motto of the government in London. Mint mark SA for Pretoria above the cross.
Chữ viết mặt sau Latin
Chữ khắc mặt sau LIBERTE۰EGALITE ۰FRATERNITE۰ 1 FC C.L.S. 1943 HONNEUR PATRIE
Cạnh Smooth
Xưởng đúc SA
Pretoria, South Africa(1890-1902, 1923-1992)
Số lượng đúc 1943 SA - - 6 000 000
ID Numisquare 6037472180
Thông tin bổ sung

Historical Context: The 1943 1 Franc from French Equatorial Africa (FEA) is a poignant numismatic artifact of World War II. FEA was the first French colonial territory to pledge allegiance to General de Gaulle's Free French forces in 1940, establishing a crucial base of resistance against Vichy France. Issued under the Comité Français de la Libération Nationale (CFLN), this coin symbolized the economic autonomy and unwavering commitment of Free French territories, addressing practical currency needs and asserting sovereignty during global conflict.

Artistry: This bronze 1 Franc coin embodies the neoclassical style prevalent in early 20th-century French numismatics. The obverse, attributed to Pierre-Alexandre Morlon, features a dignified bust of Marianne, personifying the French Republic, encircled by "RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE." The reverse, likely by Lucien Georges Bazor, depicts a majestic gazelle, a prominent symbol of African wildlife, above the denomination and date, within "AFRIQUE ÉQUATORIALE FRANÇAISE." This blend of national allegory and regional representation characterizes French colonial coinage.

Technical/Grading: Struck in bronze, measuring 25 mm and weighing 5.5 grams, this coin's technical quality varies. Key high-points for grading include Marianne's hair strands, the top of her Phrygian cap, and her cheekbone. On the reverse, focus on the gazelle's horns, eye, and shoulder musculature. Due to wartime production and material, planchet imperfections and variable strike strength are common. Full, sharp legends and minimal corrosion indicate higher-grade examples, challenging to find given its tropical circulation environment.

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