Catalog
Why register? Just to keep bots out of our catalog. Your email stays private - we will never share it or send you anything uninvited. We guarantee you that!
| Issuer | Chambre de Commerce de Cholet |
|---|---|
| Year | 1917 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| 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) | Charles Arnault |
| 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 | DIX CENTIMES CH. ARNAULT 17 VILLE DE CHOLET |
| Reverse description | The reverse is designed in imitation of the contemporary French 10-centime Lindauer coin, with a large circular coin vignette centred on the field. Within the vignette, the denomination '10 Cmes' is rendered in bold numerals, surrounded by a plain raised rim. Above the vignette, the issuing authority 'Chambre de Commerce de Cholet' is inscribed in cursive script, while the validity clause 'Valable jusqu'en 1920' and the issue year '1917' appear below in matching hand-lettered style. |
| 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 |
During World War One, the near-total withdrawal of small metal coins from circulation forced hundreds of French municipal and commercial bodies to issue emergency paper tokens. Cholet's Chambre de Commerce was among them, producing this miniature fractional note under the authority granted by decree in 1917. The pieces were never meant to outlast the coin shortage, and most were redeemed and pulped — survival in any condition is not guaranteed.
Charles Arnault designed the series. The watermark is the one security feature that distinguishes genuine examples from the period reprints and facsimiles that occasionally surface.