Reference Information

The two sides of a banknote. These terms are preferred by the banknote community rather than Obverse and Reverse, the coin collecting terms.

A banknote's Type is defined by a specific design and denomination, and is given a number in the catalog. In French catalogs, a specific type might look like: "5 Francs (violet) - Type 1917 - N^o 3", describing catalog number 3.

A Variety is a more detailed definition of a Type, recognizing different dates, signatures, numbering, etc. There is no agreement among catalogers though on what specific differences qualify for a variety designation, though specialist catalogs typically list more varieties, making cross-referencing the numbers between catalogs a bit tricky.

Technically Auteur translates to "Author", but the term is used to reference any of the personnel that designed and engraved the plates for a banknote.

The date the banknote was first put into banks and available to the public. Note that this has periodically been vastly different from the Creation Date (see France 5000F Flameng with 20 year span between creating and releasing the note).

The date a banknote was printed, or at least the officially authorized date. Distinct from Release Date. This date is often but not always printed on the note. The notation ND means the creation date was not printed on this banknote, and a following date in parenthesis, e.g. "ND (1941)" provides the Release Date, if known. Usually a range of creation dates exist for any Type, though for French BdF notes it is usually a thursday.

Terms relating to the various numbers printed on banknotes. See details of BdF numbering model.

Watermarks are a security device created during the paper manufacturing process by varying the thickness of the paper.

Relief, raised or lowered areas of the surface of a banknote, is called Embossing. It is typically felt with fingertips, but depending on the cause can be seen with the eye. Causes are ink in relief from intaglio printing, numerals of the serial number added in a later print, or in the most dramatic case by dies pressed into the paper.

A thin (~1mm) strip embedded in the banknote paper as a security mechanism. Wider strips with varying designs and often reflective materials, can also be applied to the surface of the paper.

The typically white border of paper around the banknote's design area.

From architecture, a Cartouche is an ornamental framing device used to highlight text. BdF often used a cartouche to frame serial numbers and dates.

Prior to 1989, BdF printed its banknotes in sheets. In 1989, the 100F Delacroix was the first note converted to run on the new Goebel machine, printing on continuous roll paper.

The company that physically prints banknotes. In France this is a part of BdF at its facility in Chamalières, France. Smaller countries typically outsource the printing function.

A Signature is the script signature on a banknote of a person in some position of authority at the Central Bank. It is preceded by the person's title, such as "Le Directeur Général". Note that "Sig" may refer to a single signature, the set of signatures on the note, or a signature number as a lookup in a signature table.

A Provisional Issue is a note, or set of notes, issued "for the time being" in that it's understood that the normal method of issuance is not currently available. That is often due to war-time activities or other political turbulance.

A Set is a group of notes, typically issued around the same time with stylistically similar designs. Often collected or sold together as "a complete set".

A note's Denomination is its face value. A set of notes might be issued in a series of denominations, e.g. 5F, 10F, 20F, 50F.

A note is fake, or Counterfeit, if it has been made by someone outside the usual printing authority. This could be for several reasons, mainly being either Contemporary Counterfeits if made in the same timeframe as the original, for purposes of creating money to spend, or Modern Counterfeits, which are usually intended to sell to unwitting collectors. These modern counterfeits often are made by overprinting or modifying real banknotes.

The French version of Error refers to printing faults not to circulation damage. It would include missing print colors, offset prints, paper folds, etc.

Many French notes from the 20th century are printed on thin wavy paper. Do not confuse naturally wavy paper with damage. In fact it is confirmation that the note has not been pressed.

The counterfoil is a hand-cut edge on a banknote, leaving a stub as the remainder of the note with the bank. Usually there is writing (e.g. "Banque de France") placed vertically along which the cut was made. The counterfoil is a security technique, allowing later matching of the note against the stub. These counterfoils were used on early mandats of the 18th century, higher face value notes of the Bleu et Rose era, up to the 5000F Flameng type of 1918.

An overprint is a text or graphical notation printed on an existing banknote design, usually at a later date from the initial printing. It typically denotes a revalued denomination, a different issuing authority, or cancellation.

A Remainder is a fully printed banknote of regular usage that has not been placed into service. It will typically be missing signatures, dates, and serial numbers, and of course not have been in circulation. Remainders come to existence when the central bank has printed more banknotes than were needed for this issue, or a new design replaced an older one that still had new stock available. The French refer to a remainder as "Non Émis", which has a broader connotation that includes new designs that never were released.

Pressing a banknote to minimize folds and bends is unfortunately common. Recognizing it is rather simple though if you have the note in hand. A note so fresh as to have no folds should have some amount of embossing, and the paper should be crisp. A pressed note will have no folds but tend to be perfectly flat and floppy.

Embossed mark and possibly rust from a paperclip.

Foxing is yellow, brown or reddish staining on the paper. May be mold, dirt, oil or organic material on the paper.

Rust staining on the paper caused by staples, pins or paperclips.

Meaning the paper feels like it just came off the press. Contrast with "Pressed" and "Handling".

A fold is the most common detraction for a banknote. In French "marqué" means the fold is creased with no possibily of flattening.

A loose uncreased fold typically down the center of the note. Could also be from a rubber band around a bundle of notes.

This is a general term meaning that the paper is somewhat worn and not perfectly crisp.

A small bend in a corner of a banknote is called a Counting Mark. This should not be a creased fold.

Any post-printing modification of the paper (patching holes, re-attaching splits, etc). See also "cleaned".

Given BdF's use of thin paper, it is not uncommon that wrinkles can be in fresh crisp banknotes, as printed. This does detract from the note.

Small Pinholes, whether made from pins or staples, are not unusual in older banknotes as those devices were often used to collect bundles of notes together during commercial use. Some notes were even stapled by the issuing bank, and are never seen without holes. In worse cases, the holes may have some rust transfered to the paper.

A torn banknote is not good, though at least the whole note is still in one piece.

Literally, a piece of the paper missing. This is serious damage.

Dirt or other debris on the banknote.

It's surprising how often pencil is used to write on banknotes. It even was the case that collectors and dealers would write additional information about a note in its margin.

The notation Tape may be for existing cellophane tape or residue glue from removed tape.

A Split is a break in the paper due to wear at a fold. Typically this will be down the center of a note, the most common folding point.

Banknotes are sometimes chemically Cleaned to remove foxing or dirt, resulting in a note that is typically whiter than expected for its condition. This usually requires pressing as well, so a pressed note that smells unusual and looks too bright has most likely been cleaned.

A banknote that has been Mounted in a frame or to cardboard for display. This usually damages the note, either with glue on the back or corner holders.

A hole (larger than a pinhole).