France - New Francs

In 1960, France revalued its currency to 1/100th of the previous value. One hundred Francs became one New Franc (NF). Initially, old notes were overprinted with the new denominations, then new notes were issued denominated in "New Francs," and eventually the "New" designation was removed.

Banque de France

The third, and finally successful, French Central Bank is the Banque de France (BdF). It was formed by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1800 and marked the return to the Franc, based on value of gold and silver once again. BdF has provided financial oversight (often called the "bank of banks") for all of France's territories through the years, coordinating with the central banks listed below, and stabilizing exchange rates from French Francs to CFA, CFP and now Euros. The Banque de France is one of the few central banks that actually prints its own banknotes, with facilities in Chamalières, France.

B999a face
B999a face
B999a (
  • F.56.5
  • P-141a
) 5 NF Victor Hugo
Victor Hugo and the Pantheon where he is buried; Place des Vosges
  • Printer: BdF
  • 2/4/1960
  • 140 x 75mm
  • Sig 16

  • Watermark: Victor Hugo

(F)
B1000a face
B1000a face
B1000a (
  • F.57.19
  • P-142a
) 10 NF Richelieu
Richelieu at the Palais Royal
  • Printer: BdF
  • 6/7/1962
  • 150 x 80mm
  • Sig 16

  • Watermark: Richelieu

(F)
B1001a face
B1001a face
B1001a (
  • F.58.5
  • P-143a
) 50 NF Henri IV
Henri IV at the Pont Neuf; Château de Pau
  • Printer: BdF
  • 4/7/1960
  • 160 x 85mm
  • Sig 16

  • Watermark: Marie de Médicis

(F)
B1002 (
  • F.59
  • P-144
) 100 NF Bonaparte
Napoleon Bonaparte, Arc de Triomphe; Les Invalides
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1959
  • 172 x 92mm

  • Watermark: Bonaparte

(F)
(B)
B1003a face
B1003a face
B1003a (
  • F.60.8
  • P-145a
) 500 NF Molière
Molière with Malade Imaginaire (The Imaginary Invalid) play at the Palais Royal
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1/8/1965
  • 182 x 97mm
  • Sig 16

  • Watermark: Armande Béjart
(F)

Last update:

Web site, content and images © Dave Mills

jsLinkPrev jsLinkNext jsLinkBack