New Caledonia Emergency Postage Stamp Money

New_Caledonia-25_Centimes_(1914-23)      New Caledonia 1922 Emergency Postage Stamp

Here are two examples of unusual paper money from New Caledonia.

Between 1914 and 1923, New Caledonia postage stamps were used to make emergency issue currency. The first issues were pieces of cardboard to which stamps were affixed in denominations of 25 and 50 centimes, 1 and 2 francs, with the 50 centime denominations made from either a single 50 centime stamp or a 15 and a 35 centime stamp.  The reverse of the cardboard is handstamped with “TRESORIER PAYEUR DE LA NOUVELLE CALEDONIE”, roughly translated as: “PAYABLE BY THE TREASURER OF NEW CALEDONIA”.  This item is listed in Krause Standard World Paper Money Catalog General Issues 1368 – 1960 as  Pick 23.

The second issue from 1922 consisted of 25 and 50 centime stamps encapsulated in aluminum.  The legend around the aluminum case is: “THE BANK OF INDO-CHINA” and the capital city of New Caledonia, “NOUMEA” in the centre.   This item is listed in Krause Standard World Paper Money Catalog General Issues 1368 – 1960 as Pick 28.

Image of stamp on cardboard  and information courtesy of Wikipedia Article on New Caledonia Franc (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Caledonian_franc)

Image of encapsulated stamp courtesy of Ebay seller jmjm-horn (http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Caledonia-25-centimes-1922-Pick-28-comes-in-AU-condition-Encased-Stamp-/381434052537?hash=item58cf3dbfb9)

 

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