French Chambers of Commerce were authorized to issue emergency small-denomination notes in 1914 after the wartime hoarding of coins stripped the country's retail economy of functional change. Calais, as a major Channel port actively handling Allied military supply traffic throughout the war, had particular need for circulating small currency — the town's commercial volume far outpaced what the depleted coin supply could support.
Roy & Valade in Amiens printed for several northern French chambers during this period. The JP#36-30/31/32 reference covers multiple date or signature variants within what is effectively the same emission.
French Chambers of Commerce were authorized to issue emergency small-denomination notes in 1914 after the wartime hoarding of coins stripped the country's retail economy of functional change. Calais, as a major Channel port actively handling Allied military supply traffic throughout the war, had particular need for circulating small currency — the town's commercial volume far outpaced what the depleted coin supply could support.
Roy & Valade in Amiens printed for several northern French chambers during this period. The JP#36-30/31/32 reference covers multiple date or signature variants within what is effectively the same emission.