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1 Franc - Chambre de Commerce de Bourges [18]
| Issuer | Chambre de Commerce de Bourges |
|---|---|
| Year | 1915-1922 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Franc |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Blue lithograph with a plain ruled border enclosing the legal text field; at the top, a central oval vignette presents the full arms of Bourges surmounted by a turreted crown, supported by two putti on scrollwork and flanked by pendant fruit and floral garlands. The lower portion carries the guarantee and redemption text in letterpress, with the denomination numeral '1F' in circular cartouches at the lower left and right corners, and the alphanumeric serial number printed in bold black type at the foot. |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Watermark, Monogram stamp |
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| Variants | Log in to see details |
| Comments |
French chambers of commerce were authorized to issue emergency small-denomination notes beginning in 1914, filling the void left when hoarding stripped metal coinage from circulation almost overnight at the outbreak of war. Bourges was among the earliest provincial chambers to act on that authorization. The Tardy firm — listed here as Vve Tardy-Pigelet & Fils, a family operation that had been printing in Bourges for generations — handled both design and production locally, which was unusual; most provincial chambers contracted outside specialists.
The JP# variants span a long series of dated issues across the authorization window, with subtle typographic and stamp differences distinguishing each. The monogram stamp was applied to validate individual issue runs, making unstamped examples technically irregular.