Catalog
| Issuer | French Cameroon (1916-1960) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1948 |
| Type | Coin pattern |
| Value | 2 Francs (2 FCFA) |
| Currency | CFA franc (French Equatorial Africa, 1945-1960) |
| Composition | Aluminium |
| Weight | 10.3 g |
| Diameter | 27 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Engraver(s) | Lucien Georges Bazor |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | KM#PE3 |
| Obverse description | Left-facing bust of Liberty wearing winged Phyrigyan cap. Ships in background. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE UNION FRANÇAISE L BAZOR GB ESSAI 1948 (Translation: French Republic French Union. Trial.) |
| Reverse description | Front-facing rhim gazelle (Gazella leptoceros) head, flanked by plants, grapes semicircle at top. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
2 F. TERRITOIRE DU CAMEROUN (Translation: Territory of Cameroon.) |
| Edge | |
| Mint |
Monnaie de Paris, Paris (and Pessac starting 1973), France (864-date) |
| Mintage |
1948 - - |
| Numisquare ID | 4481325670 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 1948 French Cameroon 2 Francs Double Piedfort emerges from a pivotal era for the French Fourth Republic. Cameroon was a United Nations Trust Territory under French administration post-WWII. This double piedfort, significantly thicker and heavier, likely served a numismatic or presentation role. It underscored French monetary authority and economic integration, reflecting France's efforts to maintain influence amidst evolving colonial dynamics.
Artistry: The design of this double piedfort conformed to French colonial coinage conventions. While the engraver is often unrecorded, the stylistic school featured classical allegories of the French Republic, such as Marianne or Ceres, symbolizing liberty or prosperity. These designs, characterized by strong lines and symbolic imagery, visually integrated the coin into the broader French monetary system, reflecting mid-20th century medallic art.
Technical/Grading: Struck in aluminium, this double piedfort (KM#PE3) weighs a substantial 10.3 grams and measures 27 millimeters, far exceeding its standard counterpart. This increased metal volume typically yields a sharper, more complete strike, enhancing fine details often weak on regular issues. Key high-points for grading include hair and cap details of allegorical figures, plus intricate elements. Aluminium's softness means even special strikes can show minor contact marks, making pristine examples highly desirable.