Catalog
1 Frangë / Franc
| Issuer | Shqipërie Vetqeveritare (Albanian Self-Government, Korçë) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1917 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| 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 | The obverse is printed in dark brown and red on a guilloche underprint of repeating geometric rosette patterns. At centre, a large double-headed Albanian eagle vignette is flanked on each side by a circular denomination cartouche reading '1 Fr'. The header bears the inscription 'SHQIPËRIE VETOEVERITARE' in bold letterpress, with bilingual promise text in French and Albanian below, two manuscript signature lines, and the place and date 'KORÇA / 1-3-17' at foot, alongside a serial letter and number. The engraver's credit 'GRAVEUR: DAVIER' and printer's imprint 'IMPR. A. A. VANGHELI – KORTIZA' appear along the bottom margin. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The reverse is printed in brown on a dense all-over guilloche underprint composed of repeating chevron and zigzag band motifs filling the entire field. At centre, two horizontal lines of large bold letterpress text read 'UN FRANC' above the numeral '1' and 'NJË FRANGË' below, with a circular cancellation or control stamp struck in the upper right corner area. |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Log in to see details |
| Protection description | Log in to see details |
| Variants | Log in to see details |
| Comments |
The Korçë franc notes of 1917 are among the most unusual emergency issues in European numismatic history — produced not by a national government but by a French-administered autonomous zone established in the town of Korçë after French forces occupied the region in late 1916. The "Shqipërie Vetqeveritare" authority was a deliberately limited political construction, designed to placate Albanian national sentiment while keeping the area under French military control during the ongoing Macedonian campaign.
That the notes were printed locally by Vangheli's press, with engraving credited to Davier, rather than sent to France for production, reflects the practical isolation of the zone. Supply lines were unreliable and the need was immediate. The series circulated for barely two years before the zone was dissolved in 1920.