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½ Frange / Franc
| Issuer | Republika Shqipëtare (Albanian Republic), Korçë |
|---|---|
| Year | 1917 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | 100 x 67 mm |
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| Obverse description | The obverse is dominated by a large brown double-headed eagle vignette at centre, the national symbol of Albania, set against a decorative guilloche underprint of repeating scroll patterns in green and brown. The denomination "1/2" appears in oval cartouches at upper left and upper right. Bilingual text in French and Albanian runs in horizontal bands across the lower portion, with two manuscript signatures below and a date "10-10-17" at bottom centre, flanked by a serial number. The imprint "GRAVEUR: DAVIER" appears at lower left and "IMPR. A. A. VANCHELI – KORYTZA" at lower right. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse is printed in green on plain paper, with a dense geometric underprint of repeating zigzag bands and the numeral "50" interspersed throughout the background. The central field carries the French inscription "DEMI FRANC" at the top, the large numeral "1/2" at centre, and the Albanian equivalent "GJYSMÉ FRANGE" below, all in bold letterpress. Small circular rosette ornaments appear at the four corners of the border. |
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| Comments |
Korçë spent most of 1916–1920 under French military administration, and this note is a direct product of that occupation — issued by a local Albanian republican authority but printed at A. A. Vancheli's small press in the town itself, under French supervision. The bilingual denomination, "½ Frange / Franc," reflects the currency peg to the French franc that the administration imposed to stabilize a region where Ottoman piastres, Greek drachmai, and Serbian dinars had all circulated within living memory.
Engraver credit to "Davier" is unusual for such a modest provincial emission — likely a local artisan rather than a trained banknote engraver, which accounts for the relatively rough execution compared to contemporary issues from established European printers.