5 Centimes Postal Currency (Timbre-monnaie) for Grands Magasins Jones

France · 1920 · 5 centimes

A 5 centimes French postage stamp, likely from the Sower series, encased in a circular aluminum holder. The holder features advertising text for 'Grands Magasins Jones, Palais des Parfums, Paris' around its perimeter.

This item is a 'timbre-monnaie' or postal currency, created during periods of coin shortages (especially around WWI) to allow small denomination stamps to circulate as currency. It also served as a form of advertising for the issuing business.