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50 Centimes - Chambre de Commerce de Boulogne-sur-Mer 62
| Issuer | Chambre de Commerce de Boulogne-sur-Mer |
|---|---|
| Year | 1914 |
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| Currency | Franc (1795-1959) |
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| Obverse description | Uniface letterpress note printed in brown on white paper with a repeated light green underprint of the text CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE BOULOGNE SUR MER across the entire field. The design is framed by a dotted rectangular border, with the issuer's name in large capitals divided by a central oval vignette at the top centre showing an anchor and allegorical figure surmounted by an eye-in-triangle symbol. Two circular medallions flank the centre field: the left carries the authorisation text referencing the Minister of Commerce dated 20 August 1914, and the right carries an anti-counterfeiting warning. The denomination CINQUANTE CENTIMES is set in bold letterpress at centre, with the numeral 0,50 printed in red at lower left and lower right flanking the series letter and two handwritten signatures above. |
|---|---|
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| Protection type | Watermark |
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| Comments |
Boulogne-sur-Mer's Chamber of Commerce began issuing emergency small-denomination notes in August 1914, within weeks of mobilization, as hoarding drained coins from circulation almost overnight. This was a nationwide phenomenon — over three hundred French chambers of commerce eventually issued their own papier-monnaie de nécessité — but the channel port towns felt the pressure earliest, given the sudden disruption to cross-Channel trade and the rapid militarization of the coast.
The JP#31-17/18 reference covers two distinct varieties; collectors should verify the specific text arrangement and serial numeral style before cataloging, as the two are frequently conflated.