Banknote France 50 cents - Compagnie de Béthune - 01-03-1916 - Série 3

This French emergency banknote, with a face value of 50 centimes, was issued by the Compagnie de Béthune on March 1, 1916. It belongs to the period of Nécessités Communes et Villes issues, an era marked by economic disruptions and monetary shortages due to the First World War.

The banknote comes from the department of Pas-de-Calais, more specifically from the commune of Béthune. It is referenced under the code JP.62-0641, which allows its identification and classification in specialized numismatic catalogs. It belongs to Series 3.

These emergency banknotes, often issued by companies, chambers of commerce or municipalities, were intended to compensate for the lack of fractional currency in circulation. They facilitated local trade and ensured the continuity of economic activity in times of crisis.

The mention of the "Compagnie de Béthune" suggests that this banknote was issued by a local company in that city. In-depth study of these emergency banknotes provides valuable insight into the economic and social history of French regions during the First World War, testifying to the adaptations put in place to overcome the difficulties of the time.