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5 Francs - 15ème région Bouches-du-Rhône
| Issuer | 15ème Région Militaire - Prisonniers de Guerre |
|---|---|
| Year | 1914-1918 |
| Type | Vouchers |
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| Obverse description | Brown letterpress print on cream paper, framed by a decorative ruled border with corner ornaments. Two circular vignettes flank the central text: at left, a laureate female head in profile facing right, and at right, a Gallic rooster standing erect. The monogram "RF" (République Française) appears within a cartouche at the foot of the note. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | 15eme RÉGION PRISONNIERS DE GUERRE BON POUR CINQ Fcs. Valable seulement dans les dépôts - détachements de Prisonniers de Guerre RF (Translation: 15th region. Prisoner of war camp money. Good for five francs. Valid strictly within prisoner of war depots and detachments. French Republic) |
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| Comments |
During World War One, French military regions were authorized to issue scrip for use in prisoner-of-war camps under their jurisdiction. The 15ème Région Militaire covered the Marseille area — Bouches-du-Rhône — and this 5 Francs note circulated internally among POWs held there, functioning as camp currency rather than anything redeemable outside the wire. Such issues were deliberately restricted in convertibility to prevent escape-funded purchases.
Camp scrip from this region is poorly documented, with few surviving examples recorded in major collections. The paper itself was often thin and cheaply produced, and attrition from daily handling in camp conditions was high.