Catalog
| Issuer | Togo |
|---|---|
| Year | 1956 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 5 Francs |
| Currency | Franc (1924-1956) |
| Composition | Aluminium bronze |
| Weight | 2.89 g |
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Engraver(s) | Lucien Georges Bazor |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | KM#6, Schön#6 |
| Obverse description | Left facing depiction of Marianne in a phrygian cap with a traditional French cockade. Engraver`s Mark on base of neck. (G.B.L.BAZOR) |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering | REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE UNION FRANÇAISE G.B.L. BAZOR 1956 |
| Reverse description | Slender-horned gazelle divides value within maize stocks. Rims consists of linked Sorghum- an agricultural food crop of Togo. Lower legend reads `Territoire du Togo` |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
5 F. TERRITOIRE DU TOGO (Translation: Territory of Togo) |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint |
Monnaie de Paris, Paris (and Pessac starting 1973), France (864-date) |
| Mintage |
1956 - - 10 000 000 1956 - ESSAI - 2 300 |
| Numisquare ID | 1432566590 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 1956 5 Francs coin for Togo was issued during a pivotal era for the territory, then under French trusteeship following World War II. As part of the French Union, Togo was administered by the French Fourth Republic, moving towards greater autonomy before its full independence in 1960. This coin served as essential local currency within the French colonial monetary system, facilitating daily commerce and symbolizing French administrative presence while reflecting the territory's distinct identity.
Artistry: This coin is a product of the Monnaie de Paris, characteristic of French colonial coinage of the mid-20th century. The obverse features a finely rendered, stylized gazelle head, a potent symbol of African wildlife, encircled by the legend 'RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE'. The reverse displays the denomination '5 FRANCS' above 'TOGO' and the year 1956, framed by an agricultural wreath, embodying the territory's resources. The design, while functional, adheres to a neoclassical academic style, common for official French issues, often attributed to atelier artists of the Paris Mint.
Technical/Grading: Struck in aluminium bronze, the coin's high-points for grading include the gazelle's horns, eyes, and the fine lines of its snout on the obverse. On the reverse, clarity of the lettering '5 FRANCS' and 'TOGO', along with the intricate details of the agricultural wreath, are crucial. Mint state examples will exhibit full luster and sharp details, particularly in the fields. Lower grades will show wear on the highest points of the gazelle and softening of the wreath details, while the fields may lose their original brilliance.