2 Francs Vichy Regime

The 2 Francs coin from the Vichy regime was minted using zinc salvaged from scrap and industrial sources, a desperate measure to keep the French economy limping along under occupation.

That zinc choice reflected the broader material shortages of World War II, with traditional copper and nickel alloys deemed too precious for circulation. Production ran from 1941 to 1944 at facilities like the Paris Mint, though exact output figures were never reliably recorded amid the chaos. The obverse typically bore a profile of Marianne, the French symbol of liberty, but with a simplified design that omitted the usual flourishes—ironic, given the regime's own stripped-down ideals.

Variations exist due to inconsistent zinc quality, leading to coins that sometimes developed a peculiar patina over time. If you're handling one, note the edge is plain, not reeded, which made counterfeiting easier than it should have been. As for myths about hidden Vichy codes in the design, I've yet to see evidence; it's just a coin, not a cipher.

Collectors might spot the 1943 issue for its slightly different die, but don't expect rarities—most circulated widely back then.