Expert: Brad Swain - 1/21/2010

Question
I can't seem to find much of anything about this coin. It is labeled 1948 "Republique (left) Francaise (right)" With the profile of a person with a winged crown looking thing and flowy hair with what look to be ships in the distant, bottom area. On the back it says "Reunion", has a "1" near the left and a "F" near the right with what seems to be grass/reeds around them. The color is silver and it's in Excellent condition. Do you know the value of it? or maybe the reason why it seems so illusive?

Answer
Hi Johna, There were 3 million of these aluminum 1 Franc coins minted for the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean off Madagascar that year. Collector value may be worth about .20 with heavy wear to around .35 with moderate wear to maybe .60 with light wear to perhaps $2.50 if uncirculated (no wear).
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