France 50 centimes 1924 - Good for 50 centimes (Chambers of Commerce)

France · 1924 · 50 centimes

Circulating coinCommon

€0.65estimate

97,036,160coins minted

N889 KM884

RAReference number RARA-D4CKS

Circulating coin

Coinage of the Chambers of Commerce of France (1920-1929)

The coin's story

This aluminium-bronze 50 centimes coin was issued not by the State but by the Chambers of Commerce of France, after the First World War. It replaced the silver coins, which had become too expensive to produce for their face value, the words BON POUR (good for) made it an exchange token accepted throughout the country. The 50 centimes was struck at the Paris Mint from 1920 to 1929, longer than the 1 and 2 francs denominations. The obverse, signed DOMARD INV., shows Mercury, god of commerce, seated with a caduceus and a rudder. The 1924 date has 97,036,160 pieces. The coin ceased to be legal tender on 5 August 1949.

ObverseSeated Mercury

COMMERCE INDUSTRIE DOMARD INV. 1924

Design: Mercury seated to the left, holding a winged caduceus, leaning on a rudder, a cornucopia at his feet.
Legend: COMMERCE INDUSTRIE (Commerce, Industry).
Date: 1924.
Signature: DOMARD INV. (designed by Domard).

JDDesigned by Joseph-François Domard

ReverseThe “Good for” Value

✿ CHAMBRES·DE·COMMERCE·DE·FRANCE BON POUR 50 CENTIMES BR. AL.

Design: The value in the centre, surrounded by a legend divided by a rosette.
Legend: ✿ CHAMBRES·DE·COMMERCE·DE·FRANCE (Chambers of Commerce of France).
Denomination: BON POUR 50 CENTIMES (Good for 50 centimes).
Inscription: BR. AL. (aluminium-bronze).

JDDesigned by Joseph-François Domard