How many friends and relatives do you have that have actually visited Saint Pierre and Miquelon? They are small islands located about 10 miles off the south coast of Newfoundland. It was originally claimed by the French in 1604 and later captured by the British in 1702 and held until 1763, at which time they were returned to the French. They passed back and forth between these two powers on six more occasions until they were finally awarded to France by the Treaty of Paris in 1814. Cod fishing is the major industry for this little island of 93 square miles.

Only two coins were issued in 1948 with denominations of one and two Francs, both struck in aluminum at the Paris Mint. Adding two essais and two pieforts, one would have a complete collection of six coins with a total catalog value of $377 in brilliant uncirculated condition. Maybe some day in the near future the editors of the North American Coins & Prices here at Krause Publications might just find a little space and include these few coins.

But if you collect paper money, putting together a complete set is virtually impossible as the first issue was a 27 and 54 Francs issued between 1890 and 1895, followed by another 27 Francs issued in 1897.

A local Chamber de Commerce issue denominated from 0.05 Franc through 2 Francs was issued in 1920 to alleviate a French coin shortage resulting from World War I.

World War II is where it really gets interesting as notes printed for French Equatorial Africa with special serial number ranges were released there in 1941, 1944 and 1947.

I am illustrating two notes of the ND (1950-1960) release to give examples of the excellent vignettes and quality multi-colored printing. The 10 Franc note has a wonderful rendition of Colbert at left with early sailing ships in the background at right on the face. The back displays jungle fruits with an African partially covered canoe, which was a family residence.

The face of the 20 Francs has L.E. Gentil at right with an African village scene at left. The back illustrates two African native males with a waterfront village scene in the background.

A total of 35 notes are listed in the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money series and the notes that are available can be rather costly, but where else can you find any notes issued with African motifs for somewhere in North America?