5 Centimes - Chambre de Commerce - Nice [06] Silver

Emissor Nice, Commune of
Ano 1920
Tipo Non-circulating coin
Valor 5 Centimes (0.05)
Moeda Franc (1795-1959)
Composição Silver
Peso 3.71 g
Diâmetro 19 mm
Espessura
Formato Round
Técnica Milled
Orientação
Gravador(es)
Em circulação até
Referência(s) El Mon.#10.9
Descrição do anverso Caduceus whose foot divides the date and the end of the legend, with the beginning of the legend above.
Escrita do anverso Latin
Legenda do anverso CHAMBRE · DE · COMMERCE · DE · NICE et DES ALPES MARITIMES 1920
Descrição do reverso Face value above a branch of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium `bouquetier de Nice` or bigaradier).
Escrita do reverso Latin
Legenda do reverso 5 CENTIMES · THEVENON PARIS
Bordo Plain with stamps `ARGENT`, rhombus and boar head.
Casa da moeda THEVENON
Thévenon & Co., Paris,modern-day Gercy, France
Tiragem 1920 - - 151
ID Numisquare 2031896910
Informações adicionais

Historical Context: This 1920 5 Centimes coin from Nice, issued by the local Chambre de Commerce, is a poignant artifact of post-World War I monetary instability in France. A severe national shortage of small change prompted numerous French communes and Chambers of Commerce to issue emergency coinage, known as "monnaies de nécessité." Nice, a prominent city in the Alpes-Maritimes (06), utilized this silver issue to facilitate local commerce, reflecting a temporary decentralization of monetary authority amidst challenging national finances.

Artistry: While the specific engraver for this municipal issue is often unrecorded, the design typically adheres to a functional yet elegant early 20th-century French medallic tradition. Such pieces feature clear indications of value and issuing authority, frequently incorporating symbols of commerce or civic identity. For Nice, an emphasis on clarity and legibility would be expected, with a design efficiently conveying its purpose, possibly featuring elements like a fasces, cornucopia, or the city's coat of arms, rendered with a practical aesthetic.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver (3.71 grams, 19 millimeters), this coin generally exhibits respectable strike quality for a local issue. High-points for wear or strike weakness typically occur on the highest relief elements, such as the central design motif, raised lettering, or any figurative elements. Collectors should examine the sharpness of legends and the integrity of the fields, as well as potential planchet flaws. While characteristic of emergency issues, silver examples often display superior detail.

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