Banknote Billet 20 franc 1943

This 20 franc banknote was issued in 1943 for the New Hebrides, a territory under joint Franco-British administration located in the South Pacific. It is part of the monetary issues carried out by Free France during the Second World War, a period during which Gaullist authorities sought to maintain monetary and administrative continuity in the territories that remained loyal to Free France.

This type of banknote holds particular historical significance, as it bears witness to the financial organisation established by the Free French Forces in overseas territories, at a time when metropolitan France was under German occupation. Issues intended for the New Hebrides are today considered rare documents, reflecting a pivotal period in French and colonial history.

The banknote bears serial number 04921, a precise identification element that allows its origin and authenticity within its emission series to be traced. This number represents an essential reference for any collector or researcher wishing to document and classify this type of paper currency.

Banknotes issued by Free France in Pacific territories, particularly in the New Hebrides, are recognised for their relative rarity on the numismatic market. Their state of preservation as well as the legibility of the serial number are determining criteria in their assessment. This 20 franc banknote from 1943 thus represents a tangible testimony to the monetary and political history of the French Pacific territories during the Second World War, and constitutes a primary documentary piece for specialists in French colonial numismatics and the history of Free France.