Banknote Billet France 100 francs 1976

The 100 francs Corneille banknote is an issue of the Banque de France dated 5 August 1976, bearing the series reference E.984. It is part of the series of 20th-century French banknotes paying tribute to the great figures of national culture and literature.

This banknote honours Pierre Corneille (1606-1684), a major French playwright of the 17th century, considered one of the fathers of French classical tragedy, particularly renowned for works such as Le Cid, Horace and Cinna. The choice of this personality illustrates the Banque de France's desire to celebrate the country's literary and intellectual heritage through its monetary instruments.

The banknote features a graphic composition characteristic of the Banque de France printing works of that era, with intaglio engraving allowing fine details and great precision in the rendering of the portrait and decorative elements. The face value of 100 francs is clearly inscribed on the note, in accordance with the standards in force for denominations of this type.

This type of banknote circulated in France during the 1970s, a period during which the French franc was the legal monetary unit, before the gradual introduction of the euro at the turn of the 21st century. The example identified by the letter and series number E.984 allows precise traceability within the production of this issue.