5 Centimes - Chambre Syndicale des Commerçants - Perpignan [66] Nickel-silver

Historical Context: This 5 Centimes token, issued by Perpignan's Chambre Syndicale des Commerçants from 1917 to 1924, addresses France's severe monetary scarcity during and after World War I. Official small denomination coinage became critically scarce due to wartime hoarding, metal shortages, and disrupted minting. Local authorities and merchant associations, such as this one in Perpignan, consequently issued emergency tokens (monnaies de nécessité) to facilitate daily commerce, ensuring economic continuity across the French Republic amidst national crisis.

Artistry: The design of this 5 Centimes token, characteristic of French emergency issues, emphasizes legibility and utility. A specific engraver is typically unrecorded for such local productions; the stylistic approach is pragmatic. The obverse likely features the issuing authority, "Chambre Syndicale des Commerçants - Perpignan," surrounding the denomination "5 Centimes." The reverse might reiterate the denomination or display a simple civic emblem, reflecting the straightforward aesthetic prevalent in wartime necessity coinage for clear, immediate recognition.

Technical/Grading: Struck in nickel-silver, this 21 mm token weighs 3.1 grams. For grading, key high-points include the raised lettering of the issuing body, denomination, and any central design elements. Collectors should assess the sharpness and completeness of these details. Due to often decentralized production, strike quality can vary; some examples may show weakness in peripheral legends or minor planchet flaws. A premium piece exhibits a strong, even strike with crisp legends and a clean field, indicative of superior production quality for its type.