20 C A Consommer Token (Id: French Notgeld)

This is an example of French 'Notgeld'.

There is a book, Monnaies de necessite (1800-2000) in French by Roland Elie and Victor Gadoury.

World War I disrupted the French economy. The shrewd French hoarded silver and gold coins as much as they could afford, leaving a shortage of 50 centimes, 1 franc and 2 francs coins in circulation. (Paradoxically because they were hoarded, these coins often appear in excellent condition).

The French government authorised Chambers of Commerce, towns, municipalities, associations of traders and even mines, tram companies, hotels, restaurants, bars, shops, etc to issue tokens, and in the local area were soon accepted as valid general currency in the local area.

There are thousands of different types - common ones fetch from about 50p in dealers' lists but I have seen many in 'junk boxes' at 25p.

What's on the other side of your specimen ? Is it the same ?