1923 French Chamber of Commerce Coin (Jetons de Nécessité)

This is a French 1923 bronze-aluminum alloy coin, specifically a 'jeton de nécessité' issued by the Chambres de Commerce de France. The obverse features the seated figure of Mercury (Hermes), the Roman god of commerce, holding a caduceus, which is a classic Art Deco design by Joseph-François Domard. The inscription 'COMMERCE INDUSTRIE' curves around the top periphery, with the year '1923' prominently displayed at the bottom base. This specific currency was minted by the Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris) during a period of national economic instability following World War I, when small change was scarce. The coin possesses a distinct golden-bronze hue typical of aluminum-bronze compositions of that era. Physically, the coin shows signs of circulation including moderate surface wear on the high points of Mercury's figure and some light oxidation or toning consistent with its age of over 100 years. The strike remains relatively sharp with clear legendary and date numerals. There are minor rim nicks visible, but no major structural damage or deep gouges. The craftsmanship reflects the sophisticated French minting standards of the early 20th century, utilizing mythological motifs to symbolize national economic strength and industrial progress during the interwar period.