10 Centimes - City of Castres [81]

The 10 Centimes coin from the City of Castres was minted in 1916, during a time when aluminum was a relatively new and expensive metal. In fact, aluminum was first introduced as a metal for coinage in France in 1914, just two years before this coin was minted. The use of aluminum in coinage was a significant innovation at the time, as it was lighter and less expensive than traditional metals like gold, silver, and copper. This made it possible to produce coins more efficiently and at a lower cost, which was especially important during times of economic hardship. Today, aluminum is a widely used metal in coinage and is prized for its durability and resistance to corrosion.