1898 Silver 2 Francs - Paris France - F (Fine) Grade / Condition - Silver 2 Franc - France 1898 Two Francs Coin - 83.5% Silver 1800s Coins

This listing is for one 1898 Silver 2 Francs from France, as pictured.

From 1898 to 1920, these two Franc coins were minted in 83.5% Silver. After which, the composition was changed to clad. This is due largely because of the economic difficulties France faced after the first world war. France was a founding member of the Latin Monetary Union (LMU), a single currency employed primarily by the Romance-speaking and other Mediterranean states between 1865 and the First World War. However, the outbreak of World War I caused France to leave the gold standard of the LMU. The war severely undermined the franc's strength. War expenditure, inflation and postwar reconstruction, financed partly by printing ever more money, reduced the franc's purchasing power by 70% between 1915 and 1920.

After a brief appreciation of the franc during the Depression of 1920–1921, it depreciated a further 43% between 1922 and a balancing of the budget in 1926. After a brief return to the gold standard between 1928 and 1936, the currency was allowed to resume its slide, until in 1959 it was worth less than 2.5% of its 1934 value.

This 1898 2 Franc Coin is the first year of issue for this design and composition.

1898 Silver 2 Francs - Paris France - F (Fine) Grade / Condition - Silver 2 Franc - France 1898 Two Francs Coin - 83.5% Silver 1800s Coins