Banknote France 200 Francs - Montesquieu - 1992 - Series M.145

This French banknote, with a face value of 200 francs, was issued in 1992. It belongs to a series identified by the code M.145.

The obverse of the banknote features Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu, an emblematic figure of the French Enlightenment. His portrait is accompanied by elements evoking his work and his era. It notably features a representation of the Palais de Justice in Paris, where Montesquieu practiced as a magistrate. Ornamental motifs and symbols of the French Republic complete the design.

On the reverse, the banknote presents a composition that echoes the spirit of the Enlightenment and the thought of Montesquieu. There is an allegory of the law, symbolized by a female figure holding a balance. Books and documents, symbols of knowledge and learning, are also present. The whole is treated in tones that recall the aesthetics of the time.

This banknote was printed by the Banque de France. Its dimensions are 142 mm in length and 73 mm in width. It has a dominant reddish-brown color. The watermark represents the portrait of Montesquieu. The signatures on the banknote are those of Jacques de Larosière de Champfeu and Jean-Didier Arnal.

This 200 franc Montesquieu banknote ceased to be legal tender on February 17, 2002, with the introduction of the euro. It remains a testament to French monetary history and a tribute to one of the country's greatest thinkers.