Lebanon's 1941 aluminum coinage was an emergency issue produced under the Free French administration of the Levant after German-backed Vichy forces were expelled from the mandate territory in July 1941. With supply chains disrupted and base metals diverted to the war effort, aluminum — normally avoided for circulation coinage due to its poor durability — was the only practical option available to the authorities in Beirut.
The Vichy interlude had lasted barely a year, but it left the local monetary system in disorder.
Lebanon's 1941 aluminum coinage was an emergency issue produced under the Free French administration of the Levant after German-backed Vichy forces were expelled from the mandate territory in July 1941. With supply chains disrupted and base metals diverted to the war effort, aluminum — normally avoided for circulation coinage due to its poor durability — was the only practical option available to the authorities in Beirut.
The Vichy interlude had lasted barely a year, but it left the local monetary system in disorder.