Banknote France 1 Franc - Chamber of Commerce - Fécamp - 06-08-1920

The 1 Franc banknote issued by the Fécamp Chamber of Commerce, dated August 6, 1920, represents an example of emergency currency issued in France during a period of economic hardship. This banknote, with a face value of 1 franc, bears the inscription "Émission 1920" at the top of its front side. The name of the Fécamp Chamber of Commerce is clearly indicated, followed by the value "Un Franc". The signatures of the President and Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce also appear on the front, accompanied by a unique serial number, here No. 123,963.

The front of the banknote is completed by the mention "L. P.N. CAEN. A. MOUVILLE & Cie R. LEGROS. inv", indicating the printer and the designer, R. Legros. On the back, the banknote bears the inscription "Première Émission" and recalls the deliberation of the Chamber of Commerce on August 6, 1920, as well as the ministerial authorization of August 31, 1920. The period of validity of the banknote is specified: "1920 - 1923", with a deadline for reimbursement set for December 31, 1923 against banknotes of the Banque de France.

The banknote's watermark represents bees. The printer is identified as "Les papeteries de Normandie (A. Mouville - Ozanne & Cie), Caen, France". This banknote testifies to the local initiatives taken to compensate for the lack of cash and facilitate trade at a time when financial resources were limited. The presence of legal notices and official signatures reinforces the credibility of this temporary means of payment.