French Payphone- TAXIPHONE BENJAMIN

Name	Type BENJAMIN Hall
Date	Type 1 1946, was an urban automatic PTT machine initially using tokens, later coins. The Type 2 version (1955–63) was intercity.
Manufacturer	Compagnie le Taxiphone for PTT

Below- Benjamin Type 1, with the TAXIPHONE sign embossed

Development of the Benjamin TAXIPHONE

The BENJAMIN urban type payphone (1946) was an automatic, coin-operated PTT machine equipped with a cash button. A Benjamin I model appeared in the 1946 film Destins by Richard Pottier, featuring Tino Rossi.

The later BENJAMIN Type 2 (circa 1955–1963) was an urban automatic payphone initially using Taxiphone tokens, then 50-franc coins, and later 20 centime (new franc) coins. Variants existed with and without a cash button, and the unit used a telephone circuit identical to approved U43 stations. Over time, its coin mechanism evolved significantly to accommodate changes in French currency.

Although fundamentally an urban payphone, the Benjamin Type 2 was later adapted for intercity (long-distance) use in two ways:
Variant 1: A hybrid system combining automatic urban operation with a manual interurban service. Locally, users inserted a token, dialled, and if answered, the token was collected for an untimed call within the Paris district. For long-distance calls, users dialled an operator at PROvence 71.39, gave the number, and hung up—the token was returned. The operator then established the connection, called back the user, and requested coin insertion. An internal microphone detected coins falling onto metal contacts, confirming payment before connecting both parties for a prepaid duration. This workaround predated automated billing signals.

Variant 2: Similar to Variant 1, but included a Button B allowing direct contact with an operator without inserting a token.
Some units were later converted to fully automatic operation. The Benjamin Type 2 also appears in the 1957 film Elevator to the Gallows with Jeanne Moreau.

BENJAMIN-type urban Taxiphones, adapted for interurban use

Following the introduction in 1960 of periodic pulse-based charging—where call costs were calculated at fixed monetary values but variable time intervals—the first automatic interurban Taxiphones were developed. These systems enabled long-distance calls from public payphones, with coin collection triggered remotely by the exchange. The signal was transmitted along the telephone line as a 50 Hz frequency modulated in common mode relative to earth.

These payphones are identifiable by their large coin heads.

Although technically prepayment devices, these interurban Taxiphones operated in a distinctive sequence. The user first lifted the handset and immediately dialled the number. Once the call was successfully connected, a short window of approximately 4 to 5 seconds was provided to insert coins. If payment was not made within this time, the call was automatically terminated. During this brief interval, the microphone was disabled, preventing conversation prior to payment.

These systems were typically implemented as modified versions of the earlier BENJAMIN-type urban Taxiphones, adapted for interurban use. Depending on the configuration, they were equipped either with circuits derived from the older PTT 1924 telephone sets or with circuits equivalent to the later U43 models. Variations existed due to their origin as conversions of existing equipment, and some versions included a cash collection button while others did not.

More info- https://www.publiphonie.fr/

Below- Benjamin Type 2