Banknote Billet France 100 francs 1968

Remarks:

Plusieurs épinglages, plis et 2 tâches

The 100 francs Corneille banknote is one of the Banque de France issues that marked the period of the Fifth Republic. This note bears the date of 7 December 1967 and belongs to the alphabet D.285, allowing its precise identification within the series.

The Corneille type takes its name from the famous French playwright Pierre Corneille (1606-1684), whose effigy adorns the note. This choice illustrates the Banque de France's desire to pay tribute to the great figures of the national literary and cultural heritage. The portrait of the author of Le Cid and Polyeucte is rendered with the characteristic care of Banque de France engravings, combining fine lines with precise details.

This 100 francs banknote belongs to the generation of old franc notes, issued before the widespread adoption of the so-called "heavy" franc introduced in 1960, although its circulation continued in the following years. The official year of issue is 1968, while the date printed on the note itself is 7 December 1967, corresponding to the printing date or the decision to issue.

From a graphic design standpoint, banknotes of this type are distinguished by an elaborate composition incorporating ornamental motifs, complex guilloche patterns, and security elements typical of fiduciary currency of the era, designed to prevent counterfeiting. The colours, watermarks and print quality bear witness to the expertise of the Banque de France's printing workshops.

In its current state of preservation, this banknote represents a direct testimony to French fiduciary monetary production of the 1960s, and as such constitutes a reference document for collectors specialising in French paper numismatics of the 20th century.