France, 2 francs, 1941 (aluminum)

Another bonus coin for today.

France, 2 francs, 1941 (aluminum) (KM #885a)

France made two kinds of 2-franc coins in 1941, using the exact same design and diameter. One is made of brass, and the other of aluminum. Today’s coin is the latter type. Next year, the 1931 design by Morlon would be replaced with the Vichy double-axe. Morlon’s design would return to French coins with the re-establishment of the legitimate French government in 1944, and would continue until Oscar Roty’s designs are resurrected in 1960 for the Noveau Franc. By the way, this coin is worthless.

Mintage is unreported.
Metal Aluminum
Weight 2.2 g
Diameter 27 mm
Thickness 1.8 mm
Engraver Pierre-Alexandre Morlon
Shape Round
Orientation Coin alignment
Demonetized yes

France, 10 centimes, 1941

This one is going to get oddly specific.

France, 10 centimes, 1941 (KM #897)

The French made three different varieties of the 10 centime coin in 1941. This is the type with the underlined “MES” and with dots on both sides of the date. This is a zinc version of the copper-nickel 10 centime coin that had been in production since 1920, and the Vichy state would stamp their own national design on this coin starting in 1942.

Mintage is unreported.
Metal Zinc
Weight 2.5 g
Diameter 21 mm
Engraver Edmond-Emile Lindauer
Shape Round with a hole
Orientation Coin alignment
Demonetized 07-31-1947

Canada, 5 cents, 1941

Today’s coin is more local than usual.

Canada, 5 cents, 1941 (KM #33)

George VI makes this third consecutive appearance, this time on Canada, paired with a beaver. Wren, kangaroo, beaver… what’s next, elephant? The Canadian nickel has been using the beaver design since 1937. It lives up to the name “nickel” by being made of solid nickel. (Oddly enough, US nickels have always been 25% nickel or less). Mintage in 1941 is 8,681,785. The Canadian dollar is above par, as it has been off and on for the last few years, so this coin is worth 5.2 cents USD despite its age.

Metal Nickel
Weight 4.54 g
Diameter 21.2 mm
Thickness 1.7 mm
Engravers Thomas Hugh Paget (obverse)
George Edward Kruger Gray (reverse)
Shape Round
Orientation Medal alignment