Banknote Billet France 5000 francs Henri IV, Roi de Navarre et de France 1959

Remarks:

Plis, écriture, épinglages et trâces d'usure

The 5000 Francs Henri IV banknote, issued in 1959, belongs to one of the most remarkable series in twentieth-century French numismatics. This issue came at a pivotal moment in French monetary history, as France was preparing to convert to the new franc, giving this banknote a dual face value of 5000 Francs, equivalent to 50 New Francs.

This banknote belongs to series K.100, a classification reference that allows collectors and numismatists to precisely identify its print run and its place in the Banque de France's issuance chronology.

The historical figure depicted on this banknote is Henri IV, King of Navarre and then King of France, a major historical figure of the French monarchy. Known for having ended the Wars of Religion with the proclamation of the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Henri IV is one of the most popular figures in French history. His effigy on this banknote reflects the French Republic's attachment to its monarchical and historical heritage, an iconographic tradition characteristic of Banque de France issues in the first half of the twentieth century.

From an artistic standpoint, this banknote is consistent with the graphic style characteristic of French issues of the period, marked by fine and detailed engraving, allegorical and ornamental motifs typical of the work of Banque de France engravers, and a carefully chosen colour palette designed both to enhance the banknote's aesthetic appeal and to strengthen its security features.

This banknote stands as a direct testimony to the French monetary transition under the Fifth Republic, a period corresponding to the monetary reform introduced by General de Gaulle and implemented from 1 January 1960.