Banknote France 25 Centimes - Compagnie de Béthune - 01-01-1915 - Série 1

This French emergency banknote has a face value of 25 centimes. It was issued on January 1, 1916. This banknote is part of the emergency issues from Communes and Cities during the period 1914-1918.

This banknote comes from the department of Pas-de-Calais (62), specifically from the commune of Béthune. It was issued by the Compagnie de Béthune and belongs to Series 1.

Emergency banknotes, like this one, were issued in France during World War I due to a shortage of small denomination coins. Chambers of commerce, municipalities, and various private companies were authorized to issue their own currency. These issues were often of poor quality and reflected the difficult economic circumstances of the time.

This type of banknote is a historical testament to the financial and logistical challenges faced by local communities during the war. Collectors are interested in these banknotes for their historical value and rarity, as many of these issues have been destroyed or disappeared over time. The mention "Compagnie de Béthune" indicates that this banknote was issued by a local company to facilitate economic transactions in the Béthune region during this troubled period.