Billet France 500 francs Blaise Pascal 1984 VF

The 500 francs Pascal banknote is an issue of the Banque de France, of which this example bears the date of 5 July 1984 and belongs to series S.207. It is one of the most iconic banknotes in twentieth-century French numismatics.

This banknote pays tribute to Blaise Pascal (1623–1662), a French mathematician, physicist, philosopher and theologian, and a major figure in the scientific and literary thought of the seventeenth century. The choice of this personality reflects the Banque de France's desire to celebrate the nation's intellectual and scientific heritage through its banknote issues.

The obverse of the banknote features a portrait of Blaise Pascal accompanied by motifs evoking his scientific work, with particular reference to his research on atmospheric pressure and the arithmetic machine he invented. The reverse incorporates complementary iconographic elements, including architectural representations and symbols related to his era and discoveries. The graphic composition, developed in accordance with the security standards of the period, features intaglio printing techniques characteristic of French banknotes of this generation.

The face value of this banknote is 500 francs, making it one of the highest denominations in circulation within the French monetary system of the time. The Pascal type was issued by the Banque de France from 1968 onwards and remained in circulation until the replacement of the franc by the euro in 2002, giving it an exceptional longevity among French banknotes.

 

 

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