2 Sous - Martinique

These 2 Sous coins from Martinique were struck on copper planchets often recycled from scrap metal, a makeshift solution during the Napoleonic Wars to keep colonial commerce afloat.

That recycling wasn't just thrifty; it reflected France's broader struggles to supply its overseas territories amid blockades and shortages. The obverse typically bore a simple bust of Napoleon, while the reverse featured the denomination and a colonial wreath, all in a no-frills design meant for everyday use.

Mintage figures remain murky—most records burned in the 1871 Paris fire—so exact numbers are anyone's guess. What we do know is that these coins circulated widely in Martinique until the islands shifted hands again.

Collectors sometimes overlook them for shinier pieces, but that's their charm.