Franco 1 Peseta

Aluminum was a cheap substitute for Spain's 1 Peseta coins under Franco, introduced in 1939 to cope with metal shortages after the Civil War. That meant recycling whatever scrap was available, including old pots and industrial waste, to keep the economy afloat during turbulent times.

Production ran from 1939 through 1953 at the Madrid mint, with designs featuring Franco's profile on one side and a coat of arms on the other. Variations exist; for instance, some years show subtle differences in the edge lettering, but exact reasons for those changes are murky. We don't have precise mintage figures for every year—records from that era are spotty at best.

If you're handling one, note the coin's lightweight feel, which made it prone to wear quickly in circulation. Not exactly a collector's dream, but it served its purpose.