Banknote France 1 Franc - Company of Béthune - 01-03-1916 - Serial 3

This French emergency banknote has a face value of one franc. It was issued on March 1, 1916 by the Compagnie de Béthune. This issue falls within the context of the 'Nécessités Communes et Villes' period of 1914-1918, marked by the First World War.

The banknote originates from the Pas-de-Calais department (62) and more specifically from the commune of Béthune. It belongs to Series 3 and bears the number 00.199.

Emergency banknotes were local monetary issues issued in France during the First World War. Faced with a shortage of fractional currency caused by mobilization and the hoarding of precious metals, chambers of commerce, municipalities and certain companies were authorized to issue their own banknotes and coins to facilitate local transactions.

These emergency issues were often of small denominations, ranging from a few centimes to a few francs. They were generally valid only within the territory of the commune or the issuing region. They made it possible to maintain local economic activity by ensuring the availability of means of payment.

The Compagnie de Béthune, like other local entities, thus contributed to alleviating the shortage of cash by issuing this one-franc banknote. These emergency banknotes are today valuable witnesses to the economic and social history of France during the First World War.