2 Francs

France emerged from occupation and liberation with its monetary system in disarray. The provisional government faced acute metal shortages, and aluminium — long considered unsuitable for coinage due to its tendency to wear rapidly and jam vending mechanisms — became the only practical option for subsidiary denominations. These 1948–1949 pieces were struck under the Fourth Republic, established just two years prior after the referendum of October 1946.

The alloy choice proved controversial enough that the type was abandoned relatively quickly in favor of more durable compositions, keeping circulated survivors in genuinely rough condition.