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50 Centimes - Chambre de Commerce de Bourges 1917
| Issuer | Chambre de Commerce de Bourges |
|---|---|
| Year | 1917 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | H. Richy |
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| Obverse description | Printed in red on cream paper, the obverse is framed by an ornate letterpress border with scroll and foliate motifs, with small lion vignettes at the lateral margins. At the top centre, an oval cartouche bearing the arms of Bourges is flanked by symmetrical Art Nouveau strapwork and floral decoration. Below, the issuer name and denomination are set in bold letterpress text, with two manuscript facsimile signatures above a central circular monogram stamp, and the Roman date M·CM·XVII inscribed on a ribbon cartouche at the foot; printer and engraver credits appear along the lower margin. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
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| Protection description | Bees |
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| Comments |
The Bourges Chamber of Commerce began issuing emergency fractional notes in 1915 when the wartime hoarding of coins — particularly bronze and nickel — created a crippling shortage of small change across provincial France. This 50 centimes piece belongs to the later phase of that series, printed locally by Vve Tardy-Pigelet & Fils, whose family connection to designer J. Tardy suggests the commission never left a tight provincial circle.
Engraver H. Richy's work appears across several regional emergency issues of this period. The watermark is the sole security measure — modest, but adequate for a note whose entire purpose was short-term local utility.