Top
header Notes Collection

10 Francs 1944, Martinique

in Krause book Number: 23
Years of issue: 02.02.1944
Edition:
Signatures: Le Directeur Général: André Postel-Vinay, Le Président du Conseil De Surveillance: James Leclerc
Serie: Caisse Centrale de la France d'Outre-Mer
Specimen of: 1944
Material: Cotton fiber
Size (mm): 124 x 73
Printer: Banque de France, Chamalieres

* All pictures marked magnify are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.

** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.

10 Francs 1944

Description

Watermark:

Avers:

10 Francs 1944

Centered - Marianne. On both sides of her are anchors.

Marianne is a national symbol of the French Republic, a personification of liberty and reason, and a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty.

Marianne is displayed in many places in France and holds a place of honour in town halls and law courts. She symbolizes the Triumph of the Republic, a bronze sculpture overlooking the Place de la Nation in Paris, and is represented with another Parisian statue in the Place de la République. Her profile stands out on the official government logo of the country, is engraved on French euro coins and appears on French postage stamps; it also was featured on the former franc currency. Marianne is one of the most prominent symbols of the French Republic, and is officially used on most government documents.

Marianne is a significant republican symbol, opposed to monarchy, and an icon of freedom and democracy against all forms of dictatorship. Other national symbols of France include the tricolor flag, the national motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, the national anthem "La Marseillaise", as well as the coat of arms and the official Great Seal of France.

Denominations in numerals are on left and right sides. In words - at the bottom.

Revers:

10 Francs 1944

Denominations in numerals are on left and right sides.

Centered is the text about measures against money counterfeiters.

Comments:

Designer: Edmund Dulac.

The franc was the currency of Martinique until 2002. It was subdivided into 100 centimes. The French franc circulated, alongside banknotes issued specifically for Martinique between 1855 and 1961 and notes issued for Martinique, French Guiana and Guadeloupe (collectively referred to as the French Antilles) between 1961 and 1975.

In 1897 and 1922, cupro-nickel 50 centimes and 1 franc coins were issued.

In 1855, the Colonial Treasury introduced 1 and 5 francs Bons de Caisse, followed by 2 and 10 francs in 1884.

In 1874, the Banque de la Martinique introduced 5 francs notes, followed by 100 and 500 francs in 1905, 1 and 2 francs in 1915, and 25 francs in 1922. Between 1942 and 1945, a final series of notes was issued by the Banque de la Martinique in denominations of 5, 25, 100 and 1000 francs.

In 1944, the Caisse Centrale de la France Libre (Central Cashier of Free France) introduced 1000 francs notes. The same year, the Caisse Centrale de la France d'Outre Mer (Central Cashier for Overseas France) introduced notes for 10, 20, 100 and 1000 francs. In 1947, a new series of notes was introduced in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000. These notes shared their designs with the notes issued for French Guyana and Guadeloupe.

In 1961, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 francs notes were overstamped with their values in nouveax francs (new francs): 1, 5, 10 and 50 nouveax francs. The same year, a new series of notes was introduced with the names of Guadeloupe, French Guyana and Martinique on them. In 1963, the Institut d'Emission des Départements d'Outre-Mer (Institute for Emissions in the Overseas Departments) took over paper money production in the three departments, issuing 10 and 50 nouveax francs notes. These were followed in 1964 by notes for 5, 10, 50 and 100 francs, the word nouveaux having been dropped.