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5 Francs / 1 Ariary
| Issuer | Government of Madagascar and Dependencies |
|---|---|
| Year | 1917 |
| Type | Pattern or trial banknote |
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| Obverse description | The face of this emergency colonial issue is dominated by the large bold serif lettering 'CINQ FRANCS' at centre, set within a decorative rectangular guilloche border with ornamental corner devices. A text block in the upper field details the emission conditions, with the issuing authority 'COLONIE DE MADAGASCAR ET DEPENDANCES' at the top, and two manuscript signature panels below assigned to the Directeur des Finances and the Trésorier Payeur. A large green overprint reading 'ANNULE' diagonally across the face identifies this as a trial or cancelled specimen. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse carries the colonial authority heading at the top, followed by the Malagasy equivalent value 'Salaha vidy amin'ny ARIARY' in bold lettering at centre. Two circular vignettes in the style of Hercules-type 5-franc coin escutcheons are arranged side by side within the central field, separated by a small ornamental device. The surrounding panel text, printed in Malagasy, sets out the legal penalties for counterfeiting, all contained within the same ornate guilloche border as the face. |
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| Comments |
Madagascar had no local banking infrastructure capable of producing emergency currency when World War One disrupted French colonial finance. This note was issued directly by the colonial government — not by a bank — specifically because the Banque de Madagascar did not yet exist; it was only founded in 1925.
The denomination bridge between francs and ariary reflects an older Malagasy unit that predated French annexation and remained deeply embedded in local exchange. One ariary equaled five francs in this system — the dual labeling was a practical concession to a population that continued to reckon in ariary regardless of official policy.