5 Centimes - City of Castres [81]

The 5 Centimes coin from the City of Castres was minted in 1916, during a time when aluminum was a relatively new and expensive material. 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, more durable, and less expensive than traditional metals like gold, silver, and copper. The 5 Centimes coin from the City of Castres is a rare and interesting example of early aluminum coinage.