Banknote France 50 centimes - Chambre de Commerce - Nancy

This 50 centime note was issued by the Nancy Chamber of Commerce in 1915. It is an emergency issue, implemented in an economic and social context disrupted by the First World War.

The obverse of the note features the words "CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE DE NANCY" in capital letters, indicating the issuing body. The face value, "CINQUANTE CENTIMES", is also clearly indicated. The signatures of the President and Treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce are present. The mention "CCN" is repeated several times at the top of the note, forming a kind of decorative motif. A serial number is also present, here "N°010.004".

The reverse of the note bears the inscription "Les Bons de la Chambre de Commerce de Nancy sont toujours échangeables par dix et multiples de dix contre des Billets de la Banque de France." This inscription specifies the conditions for exchanging the note, guaranteeing its value and convertibility into national currency. The date of issue, "9 septembre 1915", is also mentioned. Finally, the name of the printer, "IMPRIMERIES RÉUNIES DE NANCY", is indicated at the bottom of the note.

The note is written in Latin, the administrative and commercial language of the time. It testifies to a particular historical period, marked by economic difficulties and the need to create alternative means of payment due to the global conflict. The notes issued by the Chambers of Commerce were intended to facilitate local exchanges and to compensate for the lack of common currency.