Banknote Billet France 1000 francs 1949

Remarks:

épinglages et plis de comptage

The 1000 francs Minerva and Hercules type banknote issued in 1949 belongs to one of the most iconic series produced by the Banque de France in the post-war period. This specimen is referenced under series G.601.

This type of banknote was introduced at the Liberation and continued to be produced for several years to meet the monetary needs of France during its reconstruction. The Minerva and Hercules type takes its name from the two mythological figures that adorn its graphic composition. Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and the arts, is depicted alongside Hercules, a symbol of strength and power ? an iconography directly inspired by French republican values, also found on coins of the same era.

The graphic design of this banknote is the work of engraver-artists rooted in the tradition of French printing, with particular attention paid to the details of the allegorical figures, decorative motifs, and security features characteristic of the printing techniques of the period. The dominant colours, watermarks, and distinctive typography make it a representative document of the Banque de France's expertise in the mid-20th century.

The face value of 1000 francs represented a significant denomination in the French monetary system of the time, corresponding to high-value banknotes in circulation before the monetary reform that led to the introduction of the nouveau franc in 1960, at which point this type of banknote was withdrawn from circulation.