1943 AD., France, Vichy state issue, Paris mint, 1 Franc, KM 902.1.

France, Vichy French State issue, Paris mint, engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor, 1943 AD.,
1 Franc (ø 23 mm / 1,30 g), aluminium, ca. 1,3 g. theor. mint weight, mintage 205.563.897 , axis medal alignment ↑↑ (0°), plain edge, light type (the heavy type shows ca. 1,6 g.),
Obv.: ETAT FRANCAIS / engraver´s LB -monogram in right field , a 2 sided Battle Axe, S PACIS / PETAIN on handle, flanked by wheat stalks, no mint mark in left field.
Rev.: • TRAVAIL • FAMILLE • / • PATRIE • / 1 / • FRANC • / 1943 , oak leaves and acorns flanking the denomination.
KM 902.1 .

After the fall of the French Third Republic to invading Nazi forces in 1940, a pro-German government was set up in Vichy. Philippe Petain led France as an effective puppet state of the Third Reich.

Year / Mint Mark / Mintage
1943 205.563.897 KM#902.1 (Paris)
1943 B 68,082,000 KM#902.2 (Beaumont)
1944 50,605,000 KM#902.1 (Paris)
1944 B 13,622,075 KM#902.2 (Beaumont)
1944 C 74,859,005 KM#902.3 (Castelsarrasin, large "C")
1944 C KM#902.3 (Castelsarrasin, small "C")
these coins has been minted at 3 different mints:
no mint mark: Paris, B: Beaumont-Le-Roger, C: Castelsarrasin
There are two varieties of this coin without mintmark.
In 1943 the weight of this coin was reduced. The common version has about 1.3 gr and is worth around 1 $. Some coins have been minted with the older heavy dies used before and are about 1.6 gr. They are very rare and expensive it cost ca. 300 euros in VF, they are rare in good condition, no XF specimen known.