Expert: Brad Swain - 12/18/2009

Question
I work a store and found a 1945 1 franc coin.  I think it is from France but do not know much about it.  Could you look it up for me.  one side reads (REPVBLIQVE FRANCAISE) with ladies head with leaf head band.  Other side reads (LIBERTE * EGALITE FRATERNITE 1 FRANC 1954) left side looks like a horn toped with olive or grape leaves right side horn toped with same but center has a star where olive or grape is.  The coin is very light.  I would like to know anything you have about it.  Thanks Greg

Answer
Hi Greg, There were 61.8 million of these aluminum French 1 Franc coins minted in Paris that year without a mintmark. The legend translates to Liberty, Equality, Brotherhood. Collector value may be worth about .10 with heavy wear to around .15 with moderate wear to maybe .50 with light wear. If it has a B or C mintmark below the date it may be worth about .25, $3.50, $9 in the same conditions as listed above.
You might also try a library for a copy of the Standard Catalog of World Coins for pictures, values and lots more interesting info.
Brad