Banknote France 1 Franc - Chambre de Commerce - Bordeaux - 1914 - 2ème Série A

This 1 Franc banknote, issued by the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce in 1914, belongs to the 2nd series A. It is a redeemable voucher, designed to be exchanged at any time for banknotes from the Banque de France, at the Bordeaux branch.

On the obverse, we can read the mention "2nd series A" followed by the serial number "005,048". The main inscription indicates "CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE BORDEAUX" and the face value "UN FRANC". The signatures of the Treasurer and the President of the Chamber of Commerce are present, authenticating the banknote. A statement specifies the redemption conditions: "ÉMISSION, EN 1914, DE BONS REMBOURSABLES À TOUTE ÉPOQUE, EN BILLETS DE LA BANQUE DE FRANCE, À LA SUCCURSALE DE BORDEAUX."

The reverse of the banknote bears the face value "1" in large format. There is also the motto "QUO NON HAC DUCE", accompanied by the inscription "XXI VIRI BURDIGALENSES COMMERCIS REGENDI". This inscription refers to the twenty-one men of Bordeaux responsible for regulating trade. The text is written in Latin, a language commonly used for official inscriptions and mottos at that time.

This banknote reflects the economic and financial context of France at the beginning of the 20th century, where Chambers of Commerce played an important role in issuing local currency to facilitate trade. The issuance of such redeemable vouchers was a response to the need for liquidity in times of crisis or economic tension.