Banknote Billet France 100 francs Maximilien de Béthune 1942

The 100 francs "Sully" banknote issued in 1942 belongs to a series of French banknotes produced under the Vichy regime, during the German occupation of France. This banknote bears the series O.28020 and displays a face value of 100 francs.

The design of this banknote pays tribute to Maximilien de Béthune, better known by the title of Duke of Sully (1560-1641), loyal minister and superintendent of finances to King Henry IV. An iconic figure of French financial management in the early 17th century, Sully is associated with the economic recovery of the Kingdom of France following the Wars of Religion. His portrait adorns this banknote, reflecting the desire of the monetary authorities of the time to draw on prestigious historical references in order to confer symbolic legitimacy upon the currency in circulation.

This banknote is part of the production of the Banque de France, the institution responsible for issuing banknotes on French territory. During this turbulent period of the Second World War, banknote production was subject to significant economic and material constraints, which gives these issues a particular historical and documentary value.

Banknotes from the "Sully" series are today sought after by collectors specialising in 20th-century French numismatics, particularly for their historical interest linked to the context of their issue during one of the most significant periods in the contemporary history of France. The state of preservation as well as the serial number are determining factors in the valuation of this type of banknote.