Lot #551: Rare France Amiens 1922 Ten Centimes Token Coin - Unicorn Supporters - "Notgeld" - "Monnaie de Nécessité" - Necessity Money Local Civic Issue

Obverse: Features the coat of arms of the City of Amiens,. The shield is divided, typically showing a field of lilies (fleurs-de-lis) and a textured lower section representing the local textile industry or ivy, and features Unicorn supporters. The inscription reads "1922". Reverse: Features the denomination 10 C (centimes) in the center, with The inscription CHAMBRES DE COMMERCE (Chambers of Commerce), The issuing City "AMIENS" is positioned at the bottom. The issuer "THEVENON" in small font. The 1922 Amiens 10 centimes is a fascinating example of French "Notgeld" (necessity money), or "Monnaie de Nécessité". These were local emergency issues produced by municipalities and Chambers of Commerce to combat the severe shortage of national coinage following World War I. Amiens, located in the Somme department, was heavily impacted by the Great War. By 1922, while the country was rebuilding, small change remained scarce. This aluminum token allowed local merchants and citizens to conduct daily business when national coins were being hoarded or were unavailable. These tokens were intended for local use only within the city and its immediate surroundings. They were eventually phased out and demonetized as the French national economy stabilized and the "Chambers of Commerce" national issues became more prevalent. Dimensions: Aluminum. 20 mm. Pickup category timeslot {A}