Catalog
2 Francs - Chambre de Commerce de Dunkerque 59
| Issuer | Chambre de Commerce de Dunkerque |
|---|---|
| Year | |
| Type | Local banknote |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Red letterpress note with a wavy guilloche underprint across the central field, bearing the arms of Dunkerque — a shield with a lion passant over an elephant — at centre. A maritime vignette at the top of the note presents crossed anchors, a life-ring, and rigging elements flanked by spread wings, alluding to the port city's seafaring character. Large numeral denominators '2' appear in the upper corners, with two manuscript signatures below the issuer inscription and a serial number cartouche at the foot. |
|---|---|
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| Protection description | Watermark visible in the paper stock; applied to sheets prior to printing. |
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| Comments |
French chambers of commerce were authorized to issue emergency small-denomination notes during and after the First World War to compensate for the near-total disappearance of coin from circulation. Dunkerque's chamber was among dozens that took up this privilege, with Imprimerie Chaix — a Paris house better known for railway timetables and posters — producing the physical notes. Léon Leclerc's design credit is unusually specific for a provincial emergency issue; most such commissions went uncredited entirely.
The JP reference covering four catalog numbers against a single design suggests multiple date or series variants share the same basic plate.