France - Emergency

The term "emergency note" covers any note, bond or debt mechanism that was issued as a result of the central bank not being able to provide banknotes or coinage. Typically emergency notes were used during wartime. One group of these notes are the Chamber of Commerce notes of WWI shown here. At the start of the first world war in 1914, France immediately suspended use of gold coins and the conversion of banknotes to gold. As inflation grew, French coinage was being hoarded for its gold and silver content. Merchants were unable to process small transactions with customers. In August of 1914, the Chamber of Commerce of Paris requested, and was authorized to issue small bearer bonds in denominations of 0.25F, 0.5F, 1F, 2F, that would be legal tender among the Paris merchants that agreed to accept them. As financial backing, the Chamber of Commerce would place an equivalent amount of cash on deposit with the Banque de France. Soon thereafter, the Chambers of Commerce of other cities throughout France implemented the same mechanism as done in Paris, and issued their own bearer bonds for local use. This system was maintained for at least five years, at which time its faults started to show; paper money was not able to withstand the constant handling required of small denominations, and the bonds were being used beyond the local scope of each Chamber of Commerce. In 1921, it was decided to issue bronzed plated aluminum "Jetons", in 0.5F, 1F and 2F denominations, to replace the paper bearer bonds. These Jetons were usable across the country. These Chamber of Commerce notes are quite common, and prices generally range from $5-$20 today.

Banque de France

The third, and finally successful, French Central Bank is the Banque de France (BdF). It was formed by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800 and marked the return to the Franc, based on value of gold and silver once again. BdF has provided financial oversight (often called the "bank of banks") for all of France's territories through the years, coordinating with the central banks listed below, and stabilizing exchange rates from French Francs to CFA, CFP and now Euros. The Banque de France is one of the few central banks that actually prints its own banknotes, with facilities in Chamalières, France.

WWI Chamber of Commerce Issues

JP.4.9 face
JP.4.9 face
JP.4.9 1 Francs Alais (30)
Orange, Black.
  • Printer: J. Brabo
  • 3/30/1916
JP.7.2 face
JP.7.2 face
JP.7.2 1 Francs Amiens (80)
  • Printer: Du Progrès
  • 9/15/1914
JP.13.5 face
JP.13.5 face
JP.13.5 1 Francs Arras (62)
Arras Cathedral Ruins
  • 12/31/1923
(F)
JP.15.19 face
JP.15.19 face
JP.15.19 50 Centimes Auch, Gers (32)
  • Printer: T.H. Bouquet & Cie, Auch
  • 7/6/1921
JP.16.11 face
JP.16.11 face
JP.16.11 25 Centimes Aurillac (15)
  • Printer: Delostal & Germa, Aurillac
  • 1917-1923
(F)
JP.20.2 face
JP.20.2 face
JP.20.2 1 Francs Basses Alpes (04)
Monument to Pierre Gassendi
  • Printer: Moullot, Marseille
  • 7/19/1917
(F)
JP.23.37 face
JP.23.37 face
JP.23.37 1 Francs Belfort (90)
Lion, Louis-Oscar Roty's Sower
  • Printer: B. Arnaud, Lyon-Paris
  • 11/4/1918
JP.24.27 face
JP.24.27 face
JP.24.27 1 Francs Bergerac (24)
War Memorial
  • 1915
(F)
JP.27.17 face
JP.27.17 face
JP.27.17 1 Francs Béziers (34)
  • Printer: Cadenat Fréres, Béziers
  • 6/9/1915
(F)
JP.27.22 face
JP.27.22 face
JP.27.22 50 Centimes Béziers (34)
Statue of Pierre Paul-Riquet and Canal du Midi
  • Printer: Cadenat Fréres, Béziers
  • 11/10/1918
(F)
JP.30.28 face
JP.30.28 face
JP.30.28 50 Centimes Bordeaux (33)
  • Printer: Wetterwald Frères
  • 1917
JP.30.30 face
JP.30.30 face
JP.30.30 1 Franc Bordeaux (33)
  • Printer: Wetterwald Frères
  • 12/31/1926
JP.33.2 face
JP.33.2 face
JP.33.2 1 Francs Brive (19)
  • Printer: Delostal & Germa, Aurillac
  • 12/31/1924
(F)
JP.35.19 face
JP.35.19 face
JP.35.19 1 Francs Cahors (46), Pont Valentré
Louis-Oscar Roty's Sower
  • Printer: P. Dumont, Limoges
  • 8/16/1917
JP.36.42 face
JP.36.42 face
JP.36.42 50 Centimes Calais (62)
  • Printer: Roy & Valade, Amiens
JP.43.1 face
JP.43.1 face
JP.43.1 50 Centimes Chalons, Reims, Epernay (51)
Reims Cathedral
  • Printer: Debar, Reims
  • 10/10/1920
JP.46.26 face
JP.46.26 face
JP.46.26 1 Franc Chateauroux (36), Castle Raoul
George Sand
  • Printer: Mellottee
  • 5/10/1925

  • Watermark: Bee pattern
(B)
JP.46.28 face
JP.46.28 face
JP.46.28 50 Centimes Chateauroux (36)
Statue of Général Bertrand
  • Printer: Mellottee
  • 3/2/1922
(F)
(B)
JP.49.9 face
JP.49.9 face
JP.49.9 50 Centimes Cognac (16)
  • Printer: Lyon, Paris
  • 5/22/1920
(F)
JP.52.24 face
JP.52.24 face
JP.52.24 1 Franc Dieppe (16)
Saint-Jacques Church and Statue Of Duquesne
  • Printer: Richard, Paris
  • 1920
JP.52.26 face
JP.52.26 face
JP.52.26 2 Francs Dieppe (16)
  • Printer: Richard, Paris
  • 1920
JP.54.5 face
JP.54.5 face
JP.54.5 1 Francs Dunkerque (59)
Arms of Dunkerque, Nautical References
  • Printer: Chaix, Paris
  • ND

  • Embossing
  • Watermark: Leaves
(B)
JP.57.12 face
JP.57.12 face
JP.57.12 1 Francs Evreux (27)
  • 8/11/1917
JP.60.9 face
JP.60.9 face
JP.60.9 1 Franc Granville (50)
Plat Gousset Beach and Casino
  • Printer: Ch. Valin, Caen
  • 10/3/1916
JP.61.3 face
JP.61.3 face
JP.61.3 1 Francs Granville et Cherbourg (50)
Mont Saint-Michel
  • Printer: Y. Caraês, Granville
  • 7/19/1915
JP.63.10 face
JP.63.10 face
JP.63.10 50 Centimes Grenoble (38)
  • Printer: Imprimerie Génèral, Grenoble
  • 8/11/1917
  • without engraver's name
(F)
JP.63.13 face
JP.63.13 face
JP.63.13 50 Centimes Grenoble (38)
  • Printer: Imprimerie Génèral, Grenoble
  • 8/11/1917
  • with engraver's name
(F)
JP.63.21 face
JP.63.21 face
JP.63.21 1 Francs Grenoble (38)
Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard (left), François de Bonne, duc de Lesdiguières (right)
  • Printer: Imprimerie Génèral, Grenoble
  • 8/11/1917
(B)
JP.65.14 face
JP.65.14 face
JP.65.14 50 Centimes Roche sur Yon (85), Louis-Oscar Roty's Sower
Bistre.
  • Printer: Moderne, Nantes
  • 1915
JP.65.17 face
JP.65.17 face
JP.65.17 1 Franc Roche sur Yon (85), Louis-Oscar Roty's Sower
Red.
  • Printer: Moderne, Nantes
  • 1915
JP.65.26 face
JP.65.26 face
JP.65.26 25 Centimes Roche sur Yon (85), Louis-Oscar Roty's Sower
Blue.
  • Printer: Moderne, Nantes
  • 1916
JP.69.25 face
JP.69.25 face
JP.69.25 1 Franc Le Mans (72)
Slate. Cathédrale de Saint-Julien de Mans
  • Printer: H.D.
  • 1/24/1922
JP.70.6 face
JP.70.6 face
JP.70.6 1 Franc Le Puy (43)
  • Printer: A. Waton, St. Etienne
  • 1/1/1920
JP.70.7 face
JP.70.7 face
JP.70.7 25 Centimes Le Puy (43), Lace Maker, Volcanic Hills
  • Printer: A. Waton, St. Etienne
  • 1/1/1920
JP.71.31 face
JP.71.31 face
JP.71.31 25 Centimes Le Treport (76)
Red.
    JP.73.22 face
    JP.73.22 face
    JP.73.22 1 Francs Limoges (87)
    Monument à la mémoire des Enfants; Saint-Étienne Bridge
    • Printer: P. Dumont, Limoges
    • ND (10/1/1919)
    • Series B

    • Watermark: Bee pattern
    JP.76.6 face
    JP.76.6 face
    JP.76.6 1 Francs Lure (70)
    • Printer: B. Arnaud, Lyon-Paris
    • 9/25/1915
    JP.76.26 face
    JP.76.26 face
    JP.76.26 1 Francs Lure (70)
    • Printer: B. Arnaud, Lyon-Paris
    • 9/9/1918
    JP.77.26 face
    JP.77.26 face
    JP.77.26 50 Centimes Lyon (69)
    • Printer: Rey, Lyon
    • 6/15/1922
    (F)
    JP.77.27 face
    JP.77.27 face
    JP.77.27 1 Franc Lyon (69)
    • Printer: Rey, Lyon
    • 6/15/1922
    JP.79.18 face
    JP.79.18 face
    JP.79.18 2 Francs Marseille (13)
    • Printer: Moullot, Marseille
    • 8/12/1914
    (F)
    JP.82.35 face
    JP.82.35 face
    JP.82.35 1 Francs Mont de Marsan (40)
    • Printer: B. Arnaud, Lyon-Paris
    • 11/23/1917
    JP.84.51 face
    JP.84.51 face
    JP.84.51 50 Centimes Montluçon - Gannat (03)
    • Printer: Herbin & Bouchè, Montluçon
    • 4/12/1920
    JP.85.22 face
    JP.85.22 face
    JP.85.22 50 Centimes Montpellier (03)
    • Printer: B. Arnaud, Lyons
    • 1/6/1921
    (F)
    JP.86.1 face
    JP.86.1 face
    JP.86.1 50 Centimes Moulins et Lapalisse (03)
    • Printer: B. Arnaud, Lyon-Paris
    • 5/12/1916
    JP.88.12 face
    JP.88.12 face
    JP.88.12 2 Francs Nantes (44)
    Olive Green.
    • Printer: Moderne, Nantes
    JP.89.1 face
    JP.89.1 face
    JP.89.1 50 Centimes Narbonne (11)
    • Printer: P. Morer-Benezet, Perpignan
    • 7/22/1915
    JP.89.19 face
    JP.89.19 face
    JP.89.19 50 Centimes Narbonne (11)
    • Printer: Berger-Levrault, Nancy-Paris-Strasbourg
    • 1/13/1921
    JP.91.4 face
    JP.91.4 face
    JP.91.4 50 Centimes Nice (06)
    • Printer: Robaudy, Cannes
    • 4/19/1917
    (F)
    JP.91.5 face
    JP.91.5 face
    JP.91.5 1 Franc Nice (06)
    • 4/19/1917
    (F)
    JP.91.7 face
    JP.91.7 face
    JP.91.7 1 Franc Nice (06)
    • Printer: Robaudy, Cannes
    • 4/19/1917

    (F)
    JP.91.9 face
    JP.91.9 face
    JP.91.9 50 Centimes Nice (06)
    • Printer: Robaudy, Cannes
    • 4/30/1920
    • Series 232

    • Watermark: None
    (F)
    JP.91.11 face
    JP.91.11 face
    JP.91.11 1 Franc Nice (06)
    • Printer: Robaudy, Cannes
    • 4/30/1920
    • Series 89

    • Watermark: None
    (F)
    JP.91.14 face
    JP.91.14 face
    JP.91.14 50 Centimes Nice (06)
    • Printer: Robaudy, Cannes
    • 4/30/1920
    • Series 303

    • Watermark: Bee pattern

    (F)
    JP.91.15 face
    JP.91.15 face
    JP.91.15 1 Franc Nice (06)
    • Printer: Robaudy, Cannes
    • 4/30/1920
    • Series 140

    • Watermark: Bee pattern

    (F)
    JP.91.18 face
    JP.91.18 face
    JP.91.18 25 Centimes Nice (06)
    • Printer: Barma, Nice
    • Series 11

    • Watermark: None
    (F)
    JP.91.19 face
    JP.91.19 face
    JP.91.19 25 Centimes Nice (06)
    • Printer: Barma, Nice
    • Series 21

    • Watermark: None

    (F)
    JP.92.18 face
    JP.92.18 face
    JP.92.18 25 Centimes Nimes (30)
    • Printer: Nimes
    • Series 28

    • Watermark: Bee pattern
    (F)
    JP.93.3 face
    JP.93.3 face
    JP.93.3 1 Franc Niort (79), Louis-Oscar Roty's Sower
    • Printer: Richard, Paris
    • 9/30/1915
    JP.94.1 face
    JP.94.1 face
    JP.94.1 5 Centimes Nord et Pas-de-Calais (59,62)
    Blue.
    • 12/31/1925
    JP.94.3 face
    JP.94.3 face
    JP.94.3 25 Centimes Nord et Pas-de-Calais (59,62)
    • 12/31/1925
    JP.94.4 face
    JP.94.4 face
    JP.94.4 50 Centimes Nord et Pas-de-Calais (59,62)
    • 12/31/1925
    JP.94.5 face
    JP.94.5 face
    JP.94.5 1 Franc Nord et Pas-de-Calais (59,62)
    • 12/31/1925
    JP.96.5 face
    JP.96.5 face
    JP.96.5 50 Centimes Orléans et Blois (45,41)
    • Printer: Loiret
    • 5/15/1924
    JP.97.10 face
    JP.97.10 face
    JP.97.10 50 Centimes Paris (75)
    • 3/10/1920
    JP.97.23 face
    JP.97.23 face
    JP.97.23 1 Franc Paris (75)
    • Printer: Chaix, Paris
    • 3/10/1920
    (F)
    JP.97.28 face
    JP.97.28 face
    JP.97.28 2 Franc Paris (75), Louis-Oscar Roty's Sower
    • 3/10/1920
    JP.97.31 face
    JP.97.31 face
    JP.97.31 50 Centimes Paris (75)
    • Printer: E.H. Delaporte, Paris
    • 3/10/1920
    (F)
    JP.97.36 face
    JP.97.36 face
    JP.97.36 1 Franc Paris (75)
    • Printer: Chaix, Paris
    • 3/10/1920
    (F)
    JP.98.16 face
    JP.98.16 face
    JP.98.16 50 Centimes Périgeux (24)
    Cathedrale St-Front, Tour de Vésone
    • Printer: Ronteix, Périgeux
    • 6/24/1916
    JP.98.23 face
    JP.98.23 face
    JP.98.23 1 Franc Périgeux (24)
    Michel de Montaigne (left), Pierre Daumesnil (right); Perigeux Cathedral
    • Printer: Ronteix, Périgeux
    • 11/5/1917
    JP.100.12 face
    JP.100.12 face
    JP.100.12 1 Franc Perpignan (66)
    • Printer: P. Morer-Benezet, Perpignan
    • 11/11/1915
    JP.100.27 face
    JP.100.27 face
    JP.100.27 50 Franc Perpignan (66)
    • Printer: P. Morer-Benezet, Perpignan
    • 10/22/1919

    • Watermark: Bust of Commander Joffre with text TENIR COUTE QUE COUTE (Stand Firm)
    JP.101.1 face
    JP.101.1 face
    JP.101.1 50 Franc Poitiers (86)
    Commander Joseph Joffre (left), Charles Martel (right)
    • Printer: G. Paré, Angers
    • 1915-10
    (F)
    JP.102.1 face
    JP.102.1 face
    JP.102.1 50 Centimes Région Provençal
    • Printer: Moullot, Marseille
    • 12/31/1922

    • Watermark: Bee pattern
    (F)
    JP.102.12 face
    JP.102.12 face
    JP.102.12 1 Franc Région Provençal
    • Printer: Marseille
    • 12/31/1922
    (F)
    JP.106.2 face
    JP.106.2 face
    JP.106.2 1 Franc Roanne (42)
    • 6/28/1915
    JP.106.9 face
    JP.106.9 face
    JP.106.9 50 Centimes Roanne (42)
    • 7/18/1917
    JP.107.19 face
    JP.107.19 face
    JP.107.19 1 Franc Rochefort-sur-Mer (17)
    • Printer: Keller Fréres, Angouléme
    • 2/25/1920
    JP.110.62 face
    JP.110.62 face
    JP.110.62 1 Franc Rouen (76)
    • Printer: Moderne, Nantes
    • 1920
    JP.111.15 face
    JP.111.15 face
    JP.111.15 1 Franc Saint Brieuc (22)
    • Printer: R. Prud'homme, St. Brieuc
    JP.113.22 face
    JP.113.22 face
    JP.113.22 1 Franc Saint Dizier (52)
    • 6/7/1921
    JP.114.5 face
    JP.114.5 face
    JP.114.5 25 Centimes Saint Etienne (42)
    • Printer: A. Waton, St. Etienne
    • 1/12/1921
    JP.116.3 face
    JP.116.3 face
    JP.116.3 1 Francs Saint-Quentin (02)
    • 6/30/1925
    (F)
    JP.118.10 face
    JP.118.10 face
    JP.118.10 50 Centimes Sens (89)
    • Printer: Nouvelle E. Francois, Troyes
    • 8/12/1920
    JP.119.1 face
    JP.119.1 face
    JP.119.1 1 Franc Tarare (69)
    • Printer: B. Arnaud, Lyon-Paris
    JP.120.14 face
    JP.120.14 face
    JP.120.14 1 Franc Tarbes (65)
    • Printer: L. Cassan Aîné, Toulouse
    • 9/23/1920
    JP.121.30 face
    JP.121.30 face
    JP.121.30 50 Centimes Toulon (83)
    • Printer: B. Arnaud, Lyon-Paris
    • 12/23/1920
    JP.121.31 face
    JP.121.31 face
    JP.121.31 1 Franc Toulon (83)
    • Printer: B. Arnaud, Lyon-Paris
    • 12/23/1920
    JP.123.1 face
    JP.123.1 face
    JP.123.1 1 Franc Tours (37)
    • Printer: Tourangelle, Tours
    • 5/1/1917
    (F)
    JP.123.6 face
    JP.123.6 face
    JP.123.6 50 Centimes Tours (37)
    • Printer: Tourangelle, Tours
    • 12/27/1920
    JP.124.15 face
    JP.124.15 face
    JP.124.15 25 Centimes Troyes (124)
    • 1/1/1926
    JP.127.3 face
    JP.127.3 face
    JP.127.3 1 Franc Valence et de la Drome (26)
    • 2/23/1915
    JP.128.12 face
    JP.128.12 face
    JP.128.12 1 Franc Vienne (38)
    • Printer: B. Arnaud, Lyon-Paris
    • 1/18/1916

    WWII Chamber of Commerce Issues

    JP.115.100 face
    JP.115.100 face
    JP.115.100 100 Francs Saint-Omer (62)
    • June 1940

    Chamber of Commerce Issues from Algeria

    JP.138.1 face
    JP.138.1 face
    JP.138.1 (
    • MK103
    ) 50 Centimes Bône, Algeria
    • Printer: Moullot, Marseille
    • 5/18/1915

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