I have a 1947 aluminum French franc (KM#885a.1) that is just a hair over 1mm thick. and 1.3g. Krause says "Thick and thin planchets exist" for the type, but doesn't specify the thickness or weight of either one. Does anyone here have the specs?
I found several with 1mm thickness like yours, more common, as well as one about 2mm in width. The best way to tell is to have one of each for comparison. Besides knowing there is a difference in thickness, probably due to poor quality control for the planchet strips, there is really no importance or value beyond that that I know of.
Seems yours is the "thin" (regular) one. Here are two examples from the cgb.fr database: http://www.numishop.net/boutique/mo...27&depart=481&navigation=liste&valeur=1 Franc Exemplaire sur flan épais et de poids théorique 1,60 g. http://www.numishop.net/boutique/mo...13&depart=481&navigation=liste&valeur=1 Franc Poids observé : 1,3 g. Christian
How about the importance of satisfying my insatiable curiosity? Thanks to Brad and Chris for the information. It's now marked "Thin Planchet" in my inventory.