# CHF

By [HistoryOfCurrencies](https://paragraph.com/@dnxfund) · 2023-03-28

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The "franc" is a currency that has been used by several countries throughout history. Here is a brief history of the franc currency in France:

The franc was first introduced as a currency in France in 1360 under the reign of King John II. It was originally a gold coin, but over time, it became a silver coin.

During the French Revolution in the late 18th century, the French government introduced the "assignat," a paper currency that was supposed to be backed by land confiscated from the Church and nobility. However, the assignat quickly became worthless due to overprinting and lack of backing.

In 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte introduced the franc germinal, which was backed by gold and silver. This system lasted until the late 19th century, when France switched to the gold standard.

During World War I, the French government printed large amounts of paper currency to finance the war effort, which led to hyperinflation and a loss of confidence in the franc. In 1928, France returned to the gold standard and the franc regained its value.

During World War II, the franc was replaced by the German Reichsmark after France was occupied by Nazi Germany. After the war, France reintroduced the franc and joined the Bretton Woods system, which pegged the value of the franc to the US dollar.

In the 1960s and 1970s, France experienced high inflation, which led to a devaluation of the franc in 1969 and again in 1971. In 1999, France adopted the euro as its official currency and the franc was phased out.

Today, the franc remains the currency of several countries, including Switzerland, where it is abbreviated as CHF.

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*Originally published on [HistoryOfCurrencies](https://paragraph.com/@dnxfund/chf)*