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1 Franc - Chambre de Commerce de Montluçon - Gannat 03
| Issuer | Chambre de Commerce de Montluçon - Gannat |
|---|---|
| Year | 1915 |
| 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 |
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| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Yellow-toned note printed in dark green, with a fine guilloche border of repeating floral and geometric motifs enclosing the entire face. The issuer's title is set at the top in bold uppercase lettering, below which the ministerial authorisation date appears. The denomination 'UN FRANC' occupies the central field in large display type, flanked on either side by circular monogram vignettes incorporating the initials of the Chamber of Commerce. A central circular seal bears a castle vignette inscribed 'CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE MONTLUÇON-GANNAT', with handwritten signatures of the Treasurer and President on either side; the series letter and serial number appear at lower left and lower right respectively, with the printer's imprint along the bottom margin. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Plain cream-toned note printed in brown, with a simple repeating-motif border matching the obverse style. The issuer's title and ministerial authorisation date are repeated at the top. The body of the reverse is occupied entirely by a block of text in French setting out the legal conditions of redemption, stating that the note is guaranteed by an equal deposit at the Banque de France and must be presented for reimbursement within five years from 10 October 1915. A violet circular validation stamp of the Chambre de Commerce appears at the lower left of the text block. |
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| Comments |
Montluçon's Chamber of Commerce resorted to issuing its own fractional currency in 1915 because the outbreak of war had caused catastrophic hoarding of metal coinage — the French public stripped centime and franc pieces from circulation almost overnight in August 1914, and the crisis took months to address at the national level. Local chambers were authorized to fill the gap with their own papier-monnaie de nécessité, and dozens did so across France.
Herbin & Bouché were a local Montluçon printer, not a specialist banknote firm, which shows in the relatively modest production values of the series. The JP#84 reference covers at least three distinct varieties, differentiated by stamp type and watermark configuration.