Catalog
See full images - free registration
Continue with Google - no registration!
or register with email
Why register? Just to keep bots out of our catalog. Your email stays private - we will never share it or send you anything uninvited. We guarantee you that!
5 Francs - 15ème région Bouches-du-Rhône
| Issuer | 15ème Région Militaire - Prisonniers de Guerre |
|---|---|
| Year | 1914-1918 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Franc (1795-1959) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| 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) |
| Reverse description | Plain paper reverse, largely unprinted, with a blue handstamped serial number applied to the centre. Fold lines and general wear are consistent with circulation use. |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Log in to see details |
| Protection description | Log in to see details |
| Variants | Log in to see details |
| 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.