Vichy Government (1940-1944) Coin List
The Vichy Government was the regime that ruled France from 1940 to 1944, during the German occupation in World War II. This period marked a dark chapter in French history, characterized by collaboration with Nazi Germany and significant changes in various aspects of society, including numismatics.
Political and social changes under the Vichy regime.
Led by Marshal Philippe Pétain, the Vichy government implemented authoritarian and collaborationist policies. The republican motto "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" was abandoned in favor of "Travail, Famille, Patrie". The regime promoted a conservative and nationalist ideology, implementing anti-Semitic laws and persecuting political opponents. The French economy was severely affected by the occupation and German demands, leading to widespread shortages and rationing of essential goods.
Numismatics during the Vichy regime
In the numismatic field, the Vichy government introduced significant changes. New coins were issued reflecting the ideology of the regime, replacing republican symbols with others representing Vichy values. One of the most notable issues was the 1 franc coin of 1942, which featured a double axe (francisque) on the obverse, symbolizing the authority of the State, and the motto "Travail, Famille, Patrie" on the reverse. Fifty-cent coins were also minted with the effigy of Marshal Pétain. Due to the scarcity of metals, many of these coins were made of zinc or aluminum alloys, reflecting the economic difficulties of the period. These numismatic pieces are today valuable historical testimonies of a turbulent time in the history of France.
The most valuable and popular coins
The most valuable Vichy Government (1940-1944) coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:
The valuation of these coins list has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.
Old coins of France
To facilitate their classification, we have decided to organise the coins according to their historical period, you can consult the coins by historical numismatic categories of France.
Louis XIII 1610-1643 Louis XIV (Sun) 1643-1715 Louis XIV (Ecu) 1643-1715 Louis XVI 1774-1796 First Republic 1794-1803 French Empire 1803-1815 Kingdom of France 1815-1848 Second Republic 1848-1852 Napoleon III 1852-1870 Republic/former Franco 1870-1960 Vichy Government 1940-1944 New French Franc 1960-2001 Euro 1999-?Coin Catalog
Francia | 10 centimes
Francia | 10 centimes
Francia | 20 centimes
Francia | 5 francs
Francia | 1 franc
Francia | 1 franc
Francia | 1 franc
Francia | 10 centimes
Francia | 2 francs
Francia | 2 francs
Francia | 2 francs
Francia | 50 centimes
Francia | 50 centimes
Francia | 50 centimes
Francia | 50 centimes
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of France
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