5 Francs Free France

This aluminum 5 Francs coin was struck in the United States for the Free French forces, a practical outsourcing during the German occupation.

That decision meant using whatever metal was handy, like recycled scraps, to keep the war effort funded. The obverse features a defiant rooster, symbolizing France's resilience, while the reverse lists the issuing authority in stark lettering. Mintage figures are murky; records from that era often vanished with the chaos.

Production ran from 1944 into 1945, with variations in die quality that reflect the haste. Some pieces show faint strikes, a reminder that perfection wasn't the point in wartime.

Not every coin from this series is a rarity, but the ones that survived uncirculated can fetch a price. As for myths about hidden treasures, I've seen enough to know they're mostly wishful thinking.