Banknote France 25 Cents - Compagnie de Béthune - 01-01-1916 - Série 1

This French emergency banknote was issued by the Compagnie de Béthune on January 1, 1916. Its face value is 25 centimes of a franc. It falls within the period of emergency issues by municipalities and cities, which occurred between 1914 and 1918, during the height of World War I.

The banknote is referenced JP.62-0747, which allows it to be precisely identified in catalogs and numismatic collections. Béthune is a municipality located in the department of Pas-de-Calais, with the number 62.

The mention "Série 1" indicates that this is one of the first issues of this type by the Compagnie de Béthune. The lack of information about the issuing institution suggests that it is not a national bank, but rather a local initiative to compensate for the lack of fractional currency during the conflict.

This type of banknote testifies to the economic difficulties and local organization put in place to ensure daily exchanges in times of crisis. Its state of conservation and rarity may vary, which affects its value for collectors. It represents a valuable historical document for understanding the context of World War I in France and the adaptations implemented by the populations.