50 centimes CFP franc #380

Front

Industrial port scene of Nouméa showing loading cranes and warehouse buildings, representing the commercial and maritime importance of New Caledonia's capital. The port of Nouméa was crucial for Allied supply operations in the South Pacific during World War II; these emergency Treasury notes were issued under Vichy-aligned administration before Free French forces took control in 1943.

Back

The same port scene of Nouméa with loading cranes and warehouses, printed in green ink. This emergency scrip was issued by the local Treasury (Trésorerie de Nouméa) during wartime conditions when regular French currency supplies were disrupted. The note shows the date 'le 15 juin 1943' and serial number 250,198.

History

This is a World War II emergency issue from the Trésorerie de Nouméa, dated specifically to March and June 1943. These low-denomination notes (50 centimes = 5 francs on reverse) were issued during a period of extreme economic disruption in New Caledonia. The territory was strategically important as a U.S. military base in the South Pacific; the presence of over 50,000 American troops created massive demand for local currency. Regular supplies of French banknotes from metropolitan France were impossible due to the war, forcing the local Treasury to produce emergency scrip. The front bears the date '29 mars 1943' while the reverse shows '15 juin 1943', indicating these were printed in batches over several months. New Caledonia switched allegiance from Vichy France to Free France in September 1940, earlier than most French Pacific territories. These Treasury notes were withdrawn and replaced by regular CFP franc issues after the war ended. The industrial port imagery reflects Nouméa's transformation into a major Allied logistics hub during the Pacific War. These emergency issues are now quite scarce, as most were redeemed and destroyed post-war.