Clara R. writes: I have a odd coin. I am not sure where it is from or if it is worth anything. First of all it has a hole in the middle. The front has some kind of vines around the outside edge with a helmet at the top and on left side of the hole is “R”, the right side of the hole as “F”. The R and the F intertwine at the bottom of the hole. The back has a large 5 on the left of the hole and a large C on the right. The C has “mes” inside of it. Above the hole is the words “Liberte Egalite Fraternite”. Below is another type of plant that wraps up around the hole. I think this might be a French Indo-China coin but I am not sure. The date on the coin is 1919. Could you please give me any information you have on this.
Thank you for your detailed description. You have a 1919 France 5 Centimes (100 centimes= 1 Franc). This design of the 5c was minted from 1914 -1938 in copper-nickel and from 1938-39 in nickel-bronze. The legend:”Liberte Egalite Fraternite” translates as “Liberty, Equality and Brotherhood”.
It is a common coin to find in dealer bargain boxes. Value Range, depending on grade: 10 cents – $3.
