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50 Centimes - Chambre de Commerce de Melun
| Issuer | Chambre de Commerce de Melun |
|---|---|
| Year | 1915-1919 |
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| Reference(s) | JP#80-01/02/07 |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | CM CM CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE MELUN CINQUANTE CENTIMES Le Trésorier Le Président 15 OCTOBRE 1915 |
| Reverse description | The reverse carries two circular medallion vignettes at centre: the left medallion bears three crowned heraldic shields arranged in a triangular composition with a winged caduceus below and an olive branch to the side, while the right medallion presents an ornamental frame enclosing a decorative branch motif. The surrounding border is composed of fine guilloche work with denomination numerals repeated in each corner. |
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| Comments |
French Chambres de Commerce gained emergency authority to issue small-denomination paper money in August 1914, when the mobilization panic caused coins to vanish almost overnight into private hoards. Melun's chamber was among the earlier provincial issuers to take up that authority, producing notes to cover the chronic shortage of fractional currency that persisted well into the postwar period — hence the 1915–1919 span across three catalogue references under this single type designation.
The watermarked paper is notable for such a minor local issue; many comparable provincial emergency notes dispensed with security features entirely.