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50 Centimes - Chambre de Commerce de Blois et de Loir-et-Cher 41
| Issuer | Chambre de Commerce de Blois et de Loir-et-Cher |
|---|---|
| Year | 1918 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Franc (1795-1959) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Printer | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Printed in blue and orange on cream paper, the obverse is enclosed within an elaborate guilloche border incorporating interlocking geometric corner medallions bearing the monogram "CL". An orange letterpress underprint repeats the issuer's name across the field, over which the large denomination numeral "50" and the word "CENTIMES" are centrally positioned; the issue date "2 JUILLET 1918" and series number appear below, flanked by the manuscript signatures of the Trésorier (left) and the Président (right), with the printer's imprint at foot. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The reverse, also printed in blue and orange on cream paper, repeats the guilloche border framework of the obverse. A central semi-circular vignette contains the crowned coat of arms of Blois within a circular inscription, flanked by symmetrical orange geometric underprint panels; the legend "CINQUANTE CENTIMES" arches across the lower half while the abbreviated denomination "50c" appears in both lateral margins. A rectangular panel at the top carries the redemption clause in blue letterpress. |
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| Comments |
French chambers of commerce gained emergency note-issuing authority during World War One when coin hoarding and metal requisitions for the war effort created a genuine shortage of small-denomination currency in circulation. Blois and the Loir-et-Cher département were no exception. The notes circulated locally as functional substitutes for fractional coinage, not as banking instruments, and were redeemable through the chamber rather than any credit institution.
Arnaud in Lyon printed extensively for provincial chambers during this period, supplying dozens of similar emergency issues across France. The watermark is the primary security feature — modest by any measure, but sufficient for notes whose entire purpose was short-term local utility.