50 centimes - Morlon - Aluminium

The "Morlon" type was created in 1931 and lasted until the end of the "old Franc". It is available in three major variants.
The initial strike is made of cupro-aluminium on the Domard model but with a smooth edge. There are several variations between 1931 and 1933 on the cornucopia and the year on the reverse. In 1939, some of the coins were produced in Brussels with a circled B and without other mintmarks. A late minting, intended only for the African colonies, exists with the 1947 vintage. Despite a large mintage, this small coin has been lost and the rare surviving examples are rarely in a high state of conservation; it is also considered a purely colonial currency.
A second strike exclusive to 1941 is the heavy type aluminum one. This was actually produced in 1942 in transition before the "Bazor" type of the French State.
The third minting began in 1944 (first vintage backdated to 1941) and ended in 1947. In addition to Paris, two provincial mints produced these coins: Beaumont-le-Roger and Castelsarrasin (marks B and C under the date).
Of the entire series, only the 1947 vintage in aluminum bronze (colonial currency) is truly rare, even more so in high grade. As an approximate estimate, we can consider that less than one coin in 10,000 among a lot of 50 Morlon centimes corresponds to this coin.