History of the French "Bon Pour" Substitute Coins

Illustrated Specimen Details: "Bon Pour" 1 Franc of Martinique

Example Specimen: 1 Franc ("bon pour"), struck in 1897 (Martinique as part of Overseas France)

Authority and Imagery: The reverse (left) features the central denomination and date surrounded by a wreath, bearing the text BON POUR - 1 FRANC - 1897 (Good for 1 franc, 1897, indicating the equivalence of this token-like coin to 1 franc). Below is the phrase CONTRE-VALEUR DÉPOSÉE AU TRÉSOR, guaranteeing that the denomination is backed by treasures and value deposited in the treasury. The obverse (right) displays a traditionally dressed local woman with a six-pointed star above her portrait. It includes the legend RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. COLONIE DE LA MARTINIQUE (French Republic. Colony of the Martinique), along with the micro inscription A.BORREL for the engraver Alfred Borrel. This piece was struck at the Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris, France).

Interesting fact: Napoleon Bonaparte's wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais, was born on the island of Martinique in 1763.

1. MARTINIQUE, Overseas France (from 1897 to 1922): franc = 100 centimes
2. GUADELOUPE, Overseas France (from 1903 to 1921): franc = 100 centimes
3. RÉUNION, Overseas France (in 1896): franc = 100 centimes
4. FRENCH REPUBLIC (from 1920 to 1929): franc = 100 centimes
5. KINGDOM OF BELGIUM (from 1922 to 1934): franc = 100 centimes
6. GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG (from 1924 to 1935): franc = 100 centimes
7. FRENCH PROTECTORATE OF TUNISIA (from 1921 to 1945): franc = 100 centimes

BON POUR COINS as a numismatic concept

This numismatic name is not the official denomination of the coin. It is completely conditional and artificial, but it immediately makes it clear to any numismatist which coins are meant.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several French-speaking countries and territories minted rather strange coins (sometimes considered tokens or substitutes for the usual coins for circulation), which were united by the mysterious inscription "BON POUR". These are coins primarily of France and its overseas territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion), as well as Belgium, Luxembourg, and Tunisia.

Literally, the phrase "Bon pour" is translated from French as "Good for...". This phrase was placed in front of the denomination (for example, "Bon Pour 50 centimes") and indicated the equivalence of the coin to one or another real value. The "Bon pour" issues are monetary token or voucher-style notes and coins. They were not a separate currency system, but rather localized franc-equivalent issues.

The fact is that during the specified historical period (mostly after World War I), France was going through not the best times in terms of the economy. The shortage was felt in many aspects of life, including difficulties with the supply of non-ferrous metals for the mass national issue of coins. In such conditions, the government granted the right to issue coins to chambers of commerce and industry (the so-called "Chambers of Commerce Coinage"). In fact, it was not official French money, but only compensatory issues. However, they were widely used by the entire population for a long time as redeemable small change substitutes or emergency liquidity instruments.

In numismatic terms, collectors usually classify these as emergency money or necessity issues, colonial token coinage, and voucher currency (monetary substitutes).