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5 Francs

Issuer Monnaie de Paris
Year 1968-1975
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Composition Aluminium (95% Aluminium, 5% Magnesium)
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Reverse description A facing frontal bust of a lyre antelope (Ammodorcas clarkei) with prominently displayed lyrate horns dominates the central field, flanked on either side by the numeral '5' to the left and the abbreviation 'FR.' to the right, forming the denomination. Two smaller antelope heads flank the base of the central motif. The circular legend TERRITOIRE FRANÇAIS DES AFARS ET DES ISSAS runs along the full periphery, with a raised dot serving as a stop at the base.
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Mintage 1968 - - 100,000
1975 - - 300,000
Additional information

France's aluminium-magnesium 5 Franc piece had a short, unglamorous run tied directly to the abandonment of silver coinage as bullion hoarding gutted circulation stocks during the 1960s. The preceding silver 5 Franc series was systematically pulled from circulation and melted by the public once silver spot prices made the coins worth more than face value — a predictable consequence of the 1960 redenomination under de Gaulle, which had briefly restored confidence in the franc. The aluminium replacement was a concession to economics, not design ambition.

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