Banknote France 50 Francs - Ville - Roubaix-Tourcoing - 7éme Série

This emergency banknote, with a face value of 50 francs, was issued in France. It belongs to the 7th series of emergency issues from the period 1914-1918, specifically the joint issues of the towns of Roubaix and Tourcoing, located in the Nord department.

The banknote shows signs of cancellation, manifested by perforations, indicating that it was withdrawn from circulation after use. The date of issue is marked by the deliberation of April 20, 1916, which was approved by the prefectural authority on April 22 and 25, 1916. This prefectural approval was a necessary step for the circulation of such banknotes during this period.

These emergency banknotes were issued in a particular context, that of the First World War, where shortages of fiduciary money were frequent. Cities and towns were then authorized to issue their own currency to facilitate local exchanges. The absence of specific information on the issuing institution suggests that this banknote was issued directly by the municipal authorities of Roubaix and Tourcoing, rather than by a central bank or a national financial institution.

The face value of 50 francs represented a significant sum at the time, and this banknote would have been used for current transactions, helping to maintain economic activity in the towns of Roubaix and Tourcoing during a period of great instability. The existence of this banknote testifies to the economic and logistical challenges faced by local populations during the war, and how they adapted to cope with them.