5 Francs - Vietnam 1953-1954

This 5 Francs coin from Vietnam was struck in aluminum because French forces couldn't spare heavier metals for currency amid the Indochina War's demands.

That material choice meant these coins were light enough to carry in a pocket without weighing down a soldier's kit, though they dented easily in the humid jungle. The design probably included standard French colonial motifs, like a wreath or a profile, but records are spotty on the exact engravings. We know it circulated briefly in 1953 and 1954, serving areas under French control.

Minting details remain murky; no one kept thorough logs during the chaos, so exact numbers are anyone's guess.

Some collectors swear these coins bring bad luck, but that's just superstition from folks who've watched too many war films.