Banknote France 1 Franc - Chamber of Commerce - Nancy - 09-09-1915 - Série S

The 1 Franc banknote issued by the Nancy Chamber of Commerce, dated 09-09-1915, represents an example of emergency money issued during a time of conflict. This type of banknote was produced to alleviate the shortage of cash during the First World War.

On the front of the banknote, one can read the inscription "CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE NANCY" in capital letters, indicating the issuer of the banknote. The face value, "UN FRANC", is also mentioned. The banknote bears the serial number "S N° 012.080", each banknote being unique by its serial number. The script used is Latin, the administrative language of the time.

The back of the banknote bears an important mention regarding its convertibility. It is written that "Tous les Bons de la Chambre de Commerce de Nancy sont échangeables contre des Billets de la Banque de France" (All Nancy Chamber of Commerce Bonds are exchangeable for Bank of France Banknotes). This mention aimed to reassure users as to the value of the banknote and its ability to be exchanged for official currency. The name of the printer, "IMPRIMERIES RÉUNIES DE NANCY", is also mentioned, providing an indication of the origin of the banknote's production.

This emergency banknote is a testament to the particular economic and monetary conditions of the time, when local institutions such as chambers of commerce had to issue their own currency to facilitate everyday economic transactions.