Banknote Billet France 100 francs René Descartes 1942

Remarks:

Plis

The 100 francs Descartes banknote is a French banknote issued in 1942, belonging to series B.3. It was put into circulation by the Banque de France during the Second World War, in a particularly troubled economic and political context for France.

This banknote pays tribute to René Descartes (1596-1650), a French philosopher, mathematician and physicist, considered one of the fathers of modern philosophy and the founder of analytical geometry. His major work, the Discourse on the Method, published in 1637, remains a fundamental reference in the history of Western thought. The choice to depict Descartes on a banknote of this denomination reflects the eminent place he holds in French intellectual heritage.

The banknote features a rectangular format characteristic of French denominations of this era, with a carefully crafted graphic design incorporating the philosopher's portrait as well as decorative elements typical of the typographic and iconographic production of the Banque de France during this period. The face value of 100 francs made it a significant denomination within the French monetary system of the time.

In terms of preservation and identification, the reference to series B.3 is a determining factor for collectors and experts, allowing the exact variant of the note to be specified within the overall issue of the 100 francs Descartes. This series corresponds to a specific issue tranche, which directly influences the rarity and numismatic value of the banknote depending on its condition.

This type of banknote today represents a historical testimony of French monetary policy under the Vichy regime, and constitutes a collectable item appreciated by numismatists specialising in French paper money of the 20th century.