American Impressions 1944-1945  (1944-1945)

The "complementary francs" landed in France with allied troops on June 6, 1944. This first issue was previously realized in the United States by the Forbes Lithograph Corporation printing press located in Massachusetts. The eight denominations of 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 francs do not mention the institution of issue, but on the back there is a french flag accompanied by the motto "Liberty, equality, fraternity" indicating the country of their circulation. If the French more or less welcome these "French Dollars", it is quite different on the political level. Decided in 1942 without the agreement of the French National Liberation Committee (CFLN) and printed by the Allied Military Government of the Occupied Territories (AMGOT), this program scratches the French monetary sovereignty. From June 10, De Gaulle even speaks of "counterfeit money". The Provisional Government finally accepted the validity of these notes in exchange for a lesser impression and recognition of its monetary independence. But on the eve of the exchange of June 1945 banknotes, the Bank of France is still unable to provide enough banknotes to restore its national monetary situation. A second issue is decided with five new US notes of 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 francs. These have the same visual characteristics as the 1944 issue with some minor differences on the front, or the word "France" replaces "Emis in France", and on the back, where the french flag is replaced by the word "France ". Despite a multicolored print, all these "American Manufacturing" banknotes are counterfeits on a large scale and more particularly the notes of 100 francs Verso France Type 1945 (Pick #123)and 500 francs back Flag Type 1944 (Pick #119).