French bicycle tax tokens

[malj1]

A French bicycle token acquired: Ministry of Finance 1935, brass 54.6 X 29.1mm. Since 1911, the plaque was brass in odd years and white metal even years.

By a ministerial decree of 30 December 1958 the French tax on bicycles was permanently abandoned.

See also here

And Dutch bicycle tax tokens

[Figleaf]

Very nice specimen, Malcolm. You don't see them often, even in France.

Peter

[malj1]

I think perhaps an unissued remainder.

[malj1]

Here is another, this time an aluminium one from the following year 1936 54.6 X 29.1mm Ministry of Finance

[Figleaf]

Lovely sharp detail. Looks unused too Malcolm. Great catch.

Peter

[redwine]

A couple more for you, 1923 (the earliest I've found so far) & 1941.

[malj1]

I don't recall seeing Marianne with cow horns before? should be a phrygian cap

[redwine]

Mercury methinks.  Patron god of financial gain & commerce apparently.

[redwine]

Forgot these, 1938 & 1940.

[FosseWay]

Mercury methinks.  Patron god of financial gain & commerce apparently.

I think putting Marianne on anything official in 1941 would have caused a stir and gained the unwanted attention of the occupation authorities.

[Manzikert]

All the others seem to have Mercury though, as part of the Finance Ministry seal, so I don't think there was any change.

Alan

[maxmissy]

Here is an interesting and very scarce french bicycle token : It demonstrates that, inside the french administration, it was necessary to pay legal taxes from one entity ( Roads survey ) to the other ( Finances Ministry ).
This token was intalled in 1900 on a bicycle used by Mr Dubosclard, who was a civil servant in charge of survey of road repairs ( in french : "agent voyer " ) in La Mure which is a small town near from Grenoble and Lyon. Look at " SERVICE PUBLIC " at the bottom which shows clearly that this token was dedicated to civil servants use.

[redwine]

That piece is a delight 

[Figleaf]

Great one, maxmissy! In the Netherlands, only diplomats were exempt of the bicycle tax. I suppose not many went around The Hague by bike, but I got a Dutch diplomatic bike token, so I have some idea of how difficult to get they are.

Peter

[redwine]

Some more