Banknote France 1 franc - Chambre de commerce d'Annecy 1915 - Série 103 - Annulé

The 1 franc banknote issued in 1915 by the Annecy Chamber of Commerce (series 103), with the mention ?cancelled?, belongs to the emergency fiduciary currencies created during the First World War. In a context of metal currency shortages and economic disruption, Chambers of Commerce were authorized to issue local banknotes to maintain trade.

Annecy, although located outside the occupied zone, participated in this national effort by circulating banknotes intended to facilitate daily transactions. These issues testify to the local economic organization in the face of the difficulties of the conflict.

The obverse features a clear typographic composition including:

• the mention ?Chambre de Commerce d?Annecy?

• the face value of 1 franc

• the year 1915

• the serial number (103)

• signatures and guarantee mentions

The reverse is generally sober, with simple decorative frames or additional mentions related to the issue.

From a technical point of view, these banknotes are printed on fiduciary paper, with relatively simple processes but integrating basic security elements: numbering, handwritten or printed signatures, sometimes stamps or seals.

The mention ?cancelled? indicates that the banknote was:

• either withdrawn from circulation after use

• or administratively invalidated

• or kept as proof after reimbursement

These cancelled banknotes often show visible marks: perforations, stamps, overprints, or handwritten annotations.

These issues circulated locally, mainly in the Annecy region, before being gradually withdrawn as the monetary situation improved after the war.

From a numismatic point of view, the 1 franc Annecy 1915 ? series 103 ? cancelled is an interesting piece:

• for its historical context

• for its specific condition (cancelled)

• for its administrative traceability

Although generally less valued than a non-cancelled copy, a cancelled banknote can be of specific interest, particularly for the study of reimbursement circuits and monetary management.

Finally, for the collector, this banknote constitutes a concrete testimony of the management of local currencies in wartime. It illustrates not only the issue, but also the end of life of the banknote, adding an extra historical dimension to the object.