The French Caribbean territories and French Guyana had its own coins in the early 19th century. Not sure why the French wished to organize it this way instead of just bringing homeland currency, which was normal practice at that time. There must be enough French members on the forum to provide an answer to that.
These coins are old and rare and therefore quite a challenge to find for the country collector.
This coinage included the French Réunion Island (known as Bourbon Island or Bonaparte Island, part of the Iles de France et Bonaparte section) and former French colonies now part of Canada and USA (Québec, Louisiane...)
Administrateur du catalogue, référent de nombreuses nations antiques et de la Lorraine.
Catalogue administrator, numerous Antique nations and Lorraine referee.
The coins of "French colonies" were intended for general use in the West Indies, particularly Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint-Dominique (western Hispaniola) until it attained independence as Haiti in 1804.
This one is more original, as each metropolitan mint was associated with different colonies. A (Paris) for French Guyana (and Senegal, Africa for 1st year), H (La Rochelle) for Guadeloupe and Martinique
These are all data found in Numista, French language included.
Administrateur du catalogue, référent de nombreuses nations antiques et de la Lorraine.
Catalogue administrator, numerous Antique nations and Lorraine referee.
