50 francs 1947

Common. The 1947 Martinique 50 Francs is a standard-issue colonial banknote from an established issuing authority with no documented recall, short print run, or extreme scarcity. While colonial-era currency has collector interest, these notes were produced in sufficient quantities for regular circulation in Martinique and remain available in the numismatic market. EF condition examples are more desirable than circulated grades but do not command premium prices indicative of rarity. No specific population data suggests this Pick number is scarce.

Issued in 1947, this note represents the post-World War II monetary reorganization of French overseas territories, with the Caisse Centrale de la France d'Outre-Mer serving as the central issuing authority for colonial French territories. The reverse features a classical female allegorical figure with an anchor and fortified structure, symbolizing Martinique's strategic maritime and colonial importance. The front portrait and ships imagery reinforce the historical connection to exploration and French colonial dominion in the Caribbean during this transitional period.

The front features a bearded male portrait in period costume and hat positioned left-center, identified as Béhain d'Esnambuc (French colonial explorer and founder of French Antilles settlements), with merchant ships depicted on the right representing maritime commerce and colonial trade routes. The reverse showcases a classical allegorical female figure representing either Liberty or Commerce, adorned with an ornate headdress and jewelry, holding an anchor symbolizing maritime power and naval strength. A fortified colonial structure (likely Fort Saint-Louis or similar Martinique fortification) appears on the reverse right, with tropical vegetation in the background. Both sides feature ornate decorative chain-link border patterns in gold/orange tones with geometric corner ornaments. The color palette of blues, browns, greens, reds, and cream reflects 1940s banknote printing aesthetics and the colonial tropical theme.

FRONT: 'MARTINIQUE' (Martinique) / 'CAISSE CENTRALE DE LA FRANCE d'OUTRE-MER' (Central Treasury of France Overseas) / 'CINQUANTE FRANCS' (Fifty Francs) / 'LE DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL' (The General Director) / Signature: 'Q. Pâtre-Tinay' / 'BÉHAIN d'ESNAMBUC' (historical reference name) / 'W. FEL FEC.' (Artist signature - Felicien Fels) / 'A.5' (Series designation) / 'HOURRIEZ SC.' (Engraver - Hourriez sculpsit/engraved) / Serial numbers: '01008026' and '80264' / BACK: 'MARTINIQUE' (Martinique) / 'CAISSE CENTRALE DE LA FRANCE d'OUTRE-MER' (Central Treasury of France Overseas) / Denomination: '50' (repeated) / 'W. FEL FEC.' (Artist signature) / 'G. REGNIER SC.' (Engraver - Regnier sculpsit/engraved) / 'L'ARMES DU CODE PENAL PUNISSENT LES TRAVAUX FORCÉS CEUX QUI CONTREFONT OU FALSIFIE LES BILLETS DE BANQUE' (The penalties of the penal code punish hard labor for those who counterfeit or falsify banknotes)

Intaglio engraving (copper plate engraving) with multi-color offset lithographic printing. The fine detail visible in the engraved borders, portraits, and architectural elements, combined with the security-grade quality of line work, indicates professional bank note engraving. Artist signatures 'W. FEL FEC.' (Felicien Fels - designer) and multiple engraver signatures (HOURRIEZ SC. and G. REGNIER SC.) confirm work by specialized banknote engravers. The Caisse Centrale de la France d'Outre-Mer contracted with French security printers, likely Banque de France's associated engravers or Imprimerie Nationale subsidiary operations.

This note represents Pick P-30 with Woman's Head watermark as indicated in PMG population data. The series designation 'A.5' and serial number format '01008026/80264' are consistent with standard 1947 emissions. No overprints, color variations, or signature varieties appear in the visual analysis that would distinguish this as a scarce variant (such as P-30s). Standard production variety without notable distinguishing characteristics from the base Pick P-30 type.