Banknote Billet France 500 francs Blaise Pascal 1983

Remarks:

2 épinglages, marques de rouille et plis

The 500 francs Pascal banknote is an issue of the Banque de France that began circulating in 1983. The example presented here bears the date of 3 April 1985 and belongs to series C.226.

This banknote pays tribute to Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), a French mathematician, physicist, philosopher and theologian, and a major figure of the 17th century. His effigy forms the central element of the graphic composition of this note, which is one of the most recognisable issues in modern French numismatics.

The main face of the banknote features the portrait of Blaise Pascal, accompanied by visual references to his scientific and philosophical work, most notably his famous arithmetic machine, considered one of the earliest ancestors of the calculator. The reverse of the banknote also incorporates iconographic elements related to Pascal's work and era, with a refined graphic composition characteristic of Banque de France notes from this period.

The face value of 500 francs made it one of the highest denominations in circulation in France at the time. This banknote is printed on secure fiduciary paper, incorporating anti-counterfeiting features in keeping with the Banque de France's manufacturing standards of the 1980s, including watermarks and security threads.

Series C.226 allows this particular example to be precisely identified within the total production of this banknote type. The print date of 03-04-1985 is explicitly shown on the note, essential information for collectors wishing to establish an accurate dating of their example. The Pascal type was issued over several years, generating a variety of dates and series that are sought after by French numismatics enthusiasts.