I just bought this token, and I don't know a whole lot about it. I saw this token in a recent Heritage sale. Mostly, the only thing I know about it is that I've never seen one so nice. Here's what I know: - it is in really nice condition (graded NGC MS-65) - it is a hexagon (unusual shape) - it is aluminum - it is listed in Krause as Tn1, and Lecompte as Lec-300 - it was minted in Morocco, with a denomination of 1 Franc - it was issued by "Enterprise Collet & Gouvernet" - it comes with two varieties, Small 1 on reverse with line under F, and Large 1 on reverse with no line under F. This is the first one - there are 2 other denominations, a 2 Franc and a 5 Franc (which also has 2 varieties, total of 5 coins in the series) - it is ex-Archipelago Collection, which, when I looked at the rest of the lots in the sale, was a really cool collection Here's what I don't know: - who was "Enterprise Collet & Gouvernet"? - When were these minted? (some places seem to say 1912, but I can find no evidence of that) - Where were these minted/issued? (more specifically than Morocco) - Why were these made? (they are referred to as "monnaie d'necessite", but I don't know what that means) - How were these used (or, were these used?) - How many of these were made? Anyone with more info, or if you have one yourself, please post!
I don't know all those answers, but monnaie de necessite is emergency money, issued locally by towns or even businesses when "regular" money wasn't available. In the case of coinage, that was often due to hoarding of coinage during wartime. There are also Moroccan paper notes issued at the same time, interestingly in the same denominations. They were used just like regular money, though often only accepted within the town that issued them.
Thanks! That's something interesting to add to the story of this coin - and makes me want to know even more what prompted it to be made!
By the way, I would assume that Entreprise Collet & Gouvernet is a business name, though a quick Google wasn't much help in finding anything.
I think that this token is related to the siege of Fez in 1912 by the Berbers.It is the year that the French fought off a rebellion and signed the Treaty of Fez.It is all speculation on my part.I think the legend refers to the seat of the government in Morocco.I have no hard data to back this up.The Jean LeCompte book might have your answers.It is a very nice piece.
I have "Monnaies et Jetons des Colonies Francaises" on my desk right now, and it has literally zero amplifying information. The text is in French - but there is nothing describing these.
sorry I thought that it would be more informative.I looked online and there is very little to be found.You might have the best example.
Yes, I too would have hoped it would be more informative. Is there a reference/book dedicated to monnaie de necessite? Maybe that might have something?
Here's a publication google came up with that seems to talk about some company business that Collet & Gouvernet filed - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...1-no-336.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2dWHWrM5xsfPEYaemqWiX5 Look at page 303. It's all in French and unfortunately mine's not good enough to translate this. But the first paragraphs read: "By private deed, registered in Rabat on March 10, 1919, filed in the records of the secretariat-clerk of the Rabat court of first instance, following deed also registered on March 15, 1919, he was formed between Mr. Maurice Collet , residing in Paris, boulevard Malesherbes no. 112, acting both in his own name and in the name and on behalf of the company Maurice & Pierre Collet & Cie having its registered office in Paris, rue Cardinet no. 41, whose only members are: Messrs. Maurice & Pierre Collet, general partners, a limited partner and Mr. Charles Gouvernet Public Works Contractor, residing in Algiers, boulevard Baudin no. 9. A general partnership whose purpose is to carry out the infrastructure works for the fifth batch of the Tangier-Fez railway, under the conditions of the adjudication pronounced in favor of Messrs. Maurice, Collet & Gouvernet, jointly." I don't believe there's anything in the article that talks about issuing these tokens or emergency money, but as I say my French isn't the best.
On the 46th page of this PDF, Collet & Gouvernet is listed as a contractor in Fez. https://www.entreprises-coloniales.fr/afrique-du-nord/AEC_1922-Maroc.pdf
This French site also shows them as residing first in Meknes, then in Fez. https://www.collectiondemonnaie.net/necessites/colonies/f/fez/index.html A German site mentions this book: Monnaies de nécessité françaises by Roland Élie (Victor Gadoury). http://www.numismatik-cafe.at/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=4104 The book also seems to say the following: “Le siége social de cette enterprise état située à Meknès plus à Fez“. Supporting that both cities were their locations. The French Wikipedia suggests that Meknes was established much later than Fez, so I’d be inclined to think this was minted in Fez. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_de_Meknès Also, an interesting read on the 1912 Fez riots: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_Fez_riots
