50 francs 1947

Common. The Guadeloupe 50 Francs 1947 (Pick 34) was issued in substantial quantities as a standard denomination for colonial circulation and remains readily available in the numismatic market. No evidence of short print runs, recall, or scarcity in the historical record exists. The AU condition grade is desirable but does not significantly alter the common status of this widely-circulated issue.

Issued during the immediate post-World War II period, this note represents France's reorganization of its overseas monetary system through the Caisse Centrale de la France d'Outre-Mer. The portrayal of Bélain d'Esnambuc, the 17th-century French colonizer who established European settlement in Guadeloupe, reflects the note's celebration of French colonial history and legacy. The allegorical female figure and fortification imagery on the reverse symbolize French sovereignty and the strategic importance of the Caribbean possession to the metropolitan power.

The obverse features a left-facing profile portrait of Bélain d'Esnambuc, the 17th-century French colonial administrator, depicted wearing period-appropriate dark hat and traditional dress rendered in brown and sepia tones. The design incorporates a colonial sailing ship symbolizing maritime exploration and trade. A crustacean (crab) appears on the right side, representing Guadeloupe's Caribbean maritime identity and natural resources. The reverse presents an allegorical female figure in elaborate dress with a plumed headdress and crown, holding a ceremonial staff or scepter, embodying the French state or Republic. Behind her stands a fortification structure, symbolizing French military presence and colonial control. Both sides feature ornate decorative borders with chain-like patterns, corner medallions, and shell or pearl-like ornamental elements in blue, green, red, pink, and cream tones, demonstrating the sophisticated design aesthetic of the period.

FRONT SIDE: 'GUADELOUPE' (location identifier); 'CAISSE CENTRALE DE LA FRANCE D'OUTRE-MER' (Central Treasury of Overseas France - issuing authority); 'CINQUANTE FRANCS' (Fifty Francs - denomination in words); 'BÉLAIN D'ESNAMBUC' (name of the portrayed historical figure); 'LE DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL' (The Director General); 'W. FEL FEC.' (engraver signature - W. Fel fecit); 'HOURRIEZ SC.' (engraver/sculptor attribution); Serial numbers '050248999' and '48999'; Series designation 'C.21'. BACK SIDE: 'GUADELOUPE' (location identifier); '50' (denomination in numerals, repeated); 'CAISSE CENTRALE DE LA FRANCE D'OUTRE-MER' (Central Treasury of Overseas France); 'W. FEL FEC.' (engraver signature); 'G. REGNIER SC.' (engraver/sculptor attribution).

Intaglio engraving (steel plate engraving) executed by W. Fel (engraver) in collaboration with Hourriez and G. Regnier (sculptors/engravers). The fine line patterns, intricate detail work, and complex border designs visible throughout both sides are characteristic of high-quality intaglio production. This represents the standard security printing technique employed by the Caisse Centrale de la France d'Outre-Mer for colonial currency during this period.

This note corresponds to Pick catalog number P-34 with watermark of Woman's Head. PMG has identified variant P-34s (specimen note) as a related variety. The specific variety can be further distinguished by the series designation 'C.21' visible on this example and the engraver attributions (W. Fel, Hourriez, G. Regnier). Serial number prefix patterns and printer designations may identify additional sub-varieties within the P-34 classification, though no major varieties are widely documented for this straightforward colonial issue.