Faux d'époque - 5 francs - type Semeuse argent

A period counterfeit of the silver Semeuse 5-franc piece, almost certainly produced for circulation rather than as a collector deception. These faux d'époque circulated freely in France during the brief window between the coin's introduction under the new franc system and the eventual shift to nickel in 1970. The weight discrepancy from the correct 12g standard is significant enough that contemporary vending machines and weighing counters would have rejected it — suggesting hand-to-hand passage rather than mechanical use.