Saar franc
Encyclopedia
The franc was the currency of the Saar Protectorate and, later, the state of Saarland
in West Germany
between 20 November 1947 and 6 July 1959. It was at par with the French franc
, and French coins and banknotes circulated alongside local issues.
, followed by coins denominated in Franken, dated 1954 and 1955.
After a referendum about the future status of the region, Saarland
was incorporated into the Federal Republic of Germany
as a Bundesland
on 1 January 1957. The economic integration into Germany was completed with the withdrawal of all Saar-Franken. On June 29, 1959 the federal ordinance "Verordnung zur Einführung der Deutschen Mark im Saarland" stipulated that - with effect of 6 July (§ 1) - all debts, credits, deposits, wages, rents, fees, interest servicing, or amortisation payments, and other obligations, as well as cash reserves and prices denominated in Francs were to be converted at the rate of 100 Francs = 0.8507 Deutsche Mark (§ 2). The conversion had been brought forward by half a year because of the accelerating depreciation of the French franc, towards which the Saar-Franken was at par. The freedom to fix new prices was maintained, but especially temporarily or permanently fixed obligations, not to be altered at any time, were not to be renegotiated but converted at the rate fixed.
Pictures on coins of Saarland always depicted things related to the industry and mining in the region. Also the coat of arms of Saarland
appears on every coin.
Coins of 10,20 and 50 Frank depicted a factory and mining tower, with the coat of arms of Saarland
in front of them. 100 Frank coins depicted a gearwheel with again the coat of arms of Saarland
in front of it.
Saarland
Saarland is one of the sixteen states of Germany. The capital is Saarbrücken. It has an area of 2570 km² and 1,045,000 inhabitants. In both area and population, it is the smallest state in Germany other than the city-states...
in West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
between 20 November 1947 and 6 July 1959. It was at par with the French franc
French franc
The franc was a currency of France. Along with the Spanish peseta, it was also a de facto currency used in Andorra . Between 1360 and 1641, it was the name of coins worth 1 livre tournois and it remained in common parlance as a term for this amount of money...
, and French coins and banknotes circulated alongside local issues.
History
In 1947, banknotes were issued for Saar denominated in MarkSaar mark
The Saar Mark was a currency issued in June 1947 by the French government for use in Saar. It was at par with the German Reichsmark, and composed of six denominations of banknotes, 1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100 Mark....
, followed by coins denominated in Franken, dated 1954 and 1955.
After a referendum about the future status of the region, Saarland
Saarland
Saarland is one of the sixteen states of Germany. The capital is Saarbrücken. It has an area of 2570 km² and 1,045,000 inhabitants. In both area and population, it is the smallest state in Germany other than the city-states...
was incorporated into the Federal Republic of Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
as a Bundesland
States of Germany
Germany is made up of sixteen which are partly sovereign constituent states of the Federal Republic of Germany. Land literally translates as "country", and constitutionally speaking, they are constituent countries...
on 1 January 1957. The economic integration into Germany was completed with the withdrawal of all Saar-Franken. On June 29, 1959 the federal ordinance "Verordnung zur Einführung der Deutschen Mark im Saarland" stipulated that - with effect of 6 July (§ 1) - all debts, credits, deposits, wages, rents, fees, interest servicing, or amortisation payments, and other obligations, as well as cash reserves and prices denominated in Francs were to be converted at the rate of 100 Francs = 0.8507 Deutsche Mark (§ 2). The conversion had been brought forward by half a year because of the accelerating depreciation of the French franc, towards which the Saar-Franken was at par. The freedom to fix new prices was maintained, but especially temporarily or permanently fixed obligations, not to be altered at any time, were not to be renegotiated but converted at the rate fixed.
Appearance
Coat of arms of Saarland
This article is about the coat of arms of the German state of Saarland.The coat of arms of Saarland is parted per cross:*The first quarter shows the coat of arms of the prince of Nassau-Saarbrücken, a silver lion with golden crown, between nine crosses agent. The shield is blue...
appears on every coin.
Coins of 10,20 and 50 Frank depicted a factory and mining tower, with the coat of arms of Saarland
Coat of arms of Saarland
This article is about the coat of arms of the German state of Saarland.The coat of arms of Saarland is parted per cross:*The first quarter shows the coat of arms of the prince of Nassau-Saarbrücken, a silver lion with golden crown, between nine crosses agent. The shield is blue...
in front of them. 100 Frank coins depicted a gearwheel with again the coat of arms of Saarland
Coat of arms of Saarland
This article is about the coat of arms of the German state of Saarland.The coat of arms of Saarland is parted per cross:*The first quarter shows the coat of arms of the prince of Nassau-Saarbrücken, a silver lion with golden crown, between nine crosses agent. The shield is blue...
in front of it.