| Descripción del anverso |
The obverse reproduces a current postage stamp of Madagascar et Dépendances, printed in green and yellow-ochre, with a central vignette of a caravan scene showing figures with ox-drawn transport in a landscape with buildings in the background. The denomination "5 C." appears in a cartouche at the lower left, with the inscription "POSTES" across the top flanked by the letters "R" and "F" (République Française), and "MADAGASCAR ET DÉPENDANCES" along the bottom margin. A decorative guilloche border frames the entire design. |
| Leyenda del anverso |
Inicie sesión para ver los detalles |
| Descripción del reverso |
The reverse is printed on plain buff paper and carries an engraved vignette of a zebu (humped Malagasy cattle) in profile facing right, rendered in dark ink with fine line detail. The Malagasy inscription "Variftoventy" runs vertically along the left margin, while the denomination in numerals appears along the right edge. The overall design is stark and utilitarian, consistent with emergency necessity currency of the period. |
| Leyenda del reverso |
Inicie sesión para ver los detalles |
| Firma(s) |
Inicie sesión para ver los detalles |
| Tipo de protección |
Inicie sesión para ver los detalles |
| Descripción de la protección |
Inicie sesión para ver los detalles |
| Variantes |
Inicie sesión para ver los detalles |
Madagascar's wartime fractional notes of 1916 were a direct response to the near-total disappearance of small coinage from circulation — a problem that struck French colonial territories hard once metal was prioritized for the war effort in Europe. The Government of Madagascar and Dependencies issued these low-denomination paper fractions as an emergency substitute, technically obligations rather than banknotes in the strict sense.
At five centimes, P#28 sits at the absolute floor of the series. These fragile scraps of paper were handled constantly by people who had little alternative, and attrition was severe. Survivors in any condition are genuinely uncommon.