Options
France "Currency of Necessity"
cinque1543
Posts: 530 ✭✭✭✭
Came across these recently. At different times in France from the late 1800s to around 1950, small change was scarce due to economic crises or wars. In response, businesses issued their own tokens (monnaies de nécessité) which could be redeemed only at those same businesses. The attached token, for example, could only be redeemed at three cafés in Toulouse.
The tokens were made of brass and other cheap metals, so have little value. But there seems to be a lot of history in them. Anyone collect them?
8
Comments
Very cool… I occasionally add to my Jetons and French patterns, however I don’t know much about these. Seeing things such as this just adds to the total numismatic experience. Recently I did share a 1944 bronze 2 Fr that was minted in the US for use during the liberation of France. Clearly different than what you shared but still has a historical connection worthy of a spot in any French collection.
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.
Here's one I have ...
Georges Malgrain Dredging and Public Works, 10 Centimes, Valid only on my worksites
My World Coin Type Set
I believe these would generally be classed under "notgeld tokens", under the subclass of "Private" (as opposed to some sort of city council or other local government body).
While "notgeld" is often first thought of as "a German thing", there's plenty of "emergency money" from non-German locations too. Most notgeld collectors (except perhaps the more parochial kind in Germany) would happily collect tokens like these as examples of "French notgeld". I'd probably also presume that France would be the second-largest origin source of notgeld tokens after Germany.
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, "Meditations"
Apparently I have been awarded the DPOTD twice.
Interesting piece. These types of tokens are also known as "Good Fors" and "Merchant Trade" tokens. They were given out as small change and only redeemable at the issuing store. Common in US, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia from mid 1800s thru early 1900s.
Life member #369 of the Royal Canadian Numismatic Association
Member of Canadian Association of Token Collectors
Collector of:
Canadian coins and pre-confederation tokens
Darkside proof/mint sets dated 1960
My Ebay
I agree. I also have a small handful issued by local Chambers of Commerce, as opposed to Private issued ...
.
1921 Amiens 5 Centimes
.
1922 Landes 10 Centimes
.
1920 Nice & Alpes-Maritimes 5 Centimes
My World Coin Type Set
@worldtypeset
Nice examples
Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.