Billet France 2 francs 1915-1920 VF

This 2 franc note was issued by the City of Mayenne under the Service des Émigrés (Emigrants' Service), during the period from 1915 to 1920. It belongs to the particular context of the First World War, during which many French municipalities were forced to issue their own local means of payment in response to the shortage of official metallic and fiduciary currency. These necessity issues, managed directly by local authorities, now constitute an important historical testimony of this period of economic and social crisis.

This note bears serial number 102, which allows its precise identification within the relevant issue series. It features the notation "Annulé" (Cancelled), indicating that it was officially withdrawn from circulation and invalidated by the issuing authority, following a common practice when necessity notes were retired at the end of their validity period. This cancellation annotation is generally applied by perforation, overprint or stamp, and constitutes in itself an element of authenticity and documentary traceability.

The Service des Émigrés mentioned on this note refers to the municipal organisation responsible for managing the displaced or refugee populations hosted in Mayenne, the prefecture town of the eponymous department, located in the Pays de la Loire region. The issuance of such notes by this specific service underlines the administrative and humanitarian role played by the municipality during the conflict.

As a French municipal necessity note from the early 20th century, this annotated and numbered example represents a first-hand document for the study of war numismatics and local monetary practices in France during the First World War.

 

 

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