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!
50 centimes - Chambre de Commerce de Calais [62]
| Issuer | Chambre de Commerce de Calais |
|---|---|
| Year | 1915 |
| 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 | Brown and ochre letterpress note with a fine guilloche underprint repeating the text 'CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE CALAIS' across the central field. The issuer's title appears in a rectangular cartouche at top, with the denomination '50 CENTIMES' in large bold numerals at centre, flanked by two circular vignettes — the Chamber of Commerce seal on the left and an allegorical figure on the right. The coat of arms of Calais in red is printed at the lower centre, with spaces for the Treasurer and President signatures below the denomination, and the series number and value in figures at bottom left and right respectively. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Brown and ochre reverse with a dense geometric guilloche border and a repeated 'CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE CALAIS' text underprint across the field. A large cross-shaped ochre underprint occupies the centre, within which a circular panel carries the redemption conditions in letterpress text. The denomination '0,50' appears in large ghost numerals on either side of the central panel, and a red circular dry stamp of the Chambre de Commerce de Calais with the arms of Calais is applied at the right. |
| 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 |
French chambres de commerce were authorized to issue small-denomination emergency notes (monnaie de nécessité) by a decree of 30 July 1914, as the outbreak of war triggered an immediate hoarding crisis that stripped coins from everyday commerce almost overnight. Calais was particularly exposed — a major Channel port under significant military pressure, with civilian commerce still needing to function despite the disruptions of mobilization.
Imprimerie B. Arnaud operated out of Lyon but handled a substantial share of provincial chamber issues during the war years, supplying multiple northern issuers simultaneously. The JP#36.7 à 14 range indicates several distinct varieties exist within this type, likely differentiated by date, signature combination, or serial block.