Billet France 1 franc 1915 - 1920 XF+

This 1 franc note was jointly issued by the Chambers of Commerce of Caen and Honfleur, two Norman economic institutions that, faced with the monetary difficulties caused by the First World War, resorted to issuing emergency currency. This practice, widespread in France between 1915 and 1920, aimed to compensate for the shortage of metallic coinage that affected everyday monetary circulation.

This is the second issue produced by these two chambers of commerce, which demonstrates the durability and necessity of resorting to this type of local paper money over a period spanning several years. The collaboration between the chambers of Caen and Honfleur, two port and commercial towns in the Norman region, illustrates the regional economic solidarity established to cope with the monetary constraints of the time.

The presented example bears the mention CANCELLED, indicating that it was officially withdrawn from circulation and invalidated by the issuing authority. This cancellation was a common administrative procedure during the withdrawal of emergency notes, which occurred at the end of the issuance period. The presence of this mention gives this note a particular status from a documentary and historical perspective, attesting that it went through the complete administrative process of its life in circulation.

These emergency notes issued by French chambers of commerce during and after the First World War now constitute a fully recognised category in French notaphily. They represent direct testimonies of the local economic solutions adopted during this period of crisis. The mention of the second issue as well as the cancellation indication are essential elements for the precise identification and classification of this note within the Norman issues of the 1915-1920 period.

 

 

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