Banknote France 1 Franc - Chamber of Commerce - Calais - 1916 - Série T 120

The 1 Franc banknote issued by the Calais Chamber of Commerce in 1916 represents a testimony of French monetary history during the First World War. This emergency banknote, designed to alleviate the shortage of metallic currency, displays on its obverse the face value "1" in numerals, accompanied by the mention "CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE CALAIS". It also includes the indication "UN FRANC", as well as the functions of the Treasurer and the President, without indication of their names. The printer's signature, "IMP. B. ARNAUD LYON - PARIS", is also present.

The reverse of the banknote specifies the terms of reimbursement. It is stipulated that the reimbursement will be made in Banque de France banknotes, one year after the signing of the peace. A period of five years after this date is granted for the presentation of banknotes still in circulation, which must be submitted for reimbursement. The mention "CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE CALAIS" also reappears on the reverse.

This banknote does not have a watermark. The printer, B. Arnaud, based in Villeurbanne, operated from 1898 to 1990. The series of this banknote is indicated by the letter "T" followed by the number "120". The absence of a watermark is a notable characteristic of this type of emergency banknote, which was often produced with simplified means due to the circumstances of war. The inscriptions present on the obverse and reverse provide essential information on the issuer, the value and the terms of reimbursement, reflecting the economic and financial context of the time.