Billet France 200 francs Charles Montesquieu, écrivain et philosophe français 1984 VF

The 200 francs Montesquieu banknote is a French banknote issued in 1984, with a face value of 200 francs. It belongs to the series bearing the alphabetical reference A.024.

This banknote pays tribute to Charles de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu, an 18th-century French writer and philosopher, renowned in particular for his major work The Spirit of the Laws, published in 1748, in which he developed the theory of the separation of powers. His portrait is prominently featured on this banknote, reflecting the Banque de France's desire to associate its monetary issues with the great intellectual figures of national history.

The graphic design of this banknote is characteristic of the Banque de France's productions of that era, combining iconographic elements evocative of the philosopher's life and work with complex decorative patterns intended to ensure its security. The dominant colours, watermarks and intaglio printing details are representative of the techniques used by the Banque de France's printing works during the 1980s.

This banknote represents a tangible testimony to French monetary policy before the introduction of the euro, a period during which the French franc remained the official currency of the Republic. The 200 francs Montesquieu series circulated for several years before being progressively withdrawn from circulation. Its condition and its alphabetical reference A.024 are key factors in assessing its numismatic value for collectors specialising in 20th-century French paper money.

 

 

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