Banknote Billet France 500 francs Blaise Pascal 1983

Remarks:

4 épinglages, marques de rouille et plis

The 500 francs Pascal banknote is an issue of the Banque de France, the specimen presented here bearing the date of 6 January 1983 and belonging to series E.1983. It is a banknote with a face value of 500 francs, representing one of the most iconic denominations of the contemporary period of French paper currency.

This banknote pays tribute to Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), French mathematician, physicist, philosopher and theologian, whose work on projective geometry, probability theory and fluid pressure left a lasting mark on the history of science. His portrait features prominently on this note, accompanied by symbolic representations evoking his scientific and literary achievements, including the arithmetic machine he invented at the age of nineteen.

The 500 francs Pascal banknote was first introduced in 1968, replacing the former 500 francs Molière denomination. Its graphic design, executed with great refinement, incorporates complex patterns and high-security printing techniques characteristic of Banque de France notes of that era, including watermarks, micro-printing and particularly fine intaglio work, all enabling the distinction of genuine notes from counterfeits.

The banknote's dominant colour scheme is based on shades of brown and green, arranged to highlight the graphic elements and portraits. The obverse features Pascal's main portrait along with various decorative and security elements, while the reverse develops complementary motifs related to the scholar's work.