20 francs 1942
Market Prices
39 salesAbout This Note
This is a visually appealing 20 Francs banknote from Banque de l'Algérie dated 25 November 1942, featuring a striking portrait of a veiled woman on the obverse and an allegorical scene with classical figures and a prickly pear cactus on the reverse. The note displays the purple/mauve coloring characteristic of this issue, with age-appropriate patina, light foxing, and minor creasing consistent with its 80+ year age. In Fine condition, this is a representative example of Vichy-era French colonial currency that remains affordable and accessible to collectors of North African numismatic material.
Common. The eBay price history provided shows consistent trading in the $3–$30 range for Fine and VF condition notes, with typical Fine examples selling for $5–$10. The 2016 catalogue value for VF condition is only $5, indicating steady, liquid market availability. This is a regular issue from a major colonial issuer with substantial print runs during the 1942–1944 period. No evidence of scarcity, recall, or limited issue exists.
Issued during the final years of Vichy French administration in Algeria (1942-1944), this banknote represents a transitional period in North African colonial history. The imagery of the veiled woman reflects the colonial-era artistic representation of Algerian identity, while the classical allegorical figures and prickly pear cactus on the reverse symbolize agricultural abundance and Mediterranean colonial commerce. The bilingual inscriptions in French and Arabic underscore the dual administrative structure of French Algeria during this period.
The obverse features a three-quarter portrait of a young Algerian woman wearing traditional Islamic headdress (hijab/veil), positioned within an ornamental frame on the right side of the note. The denomination '20' appears in light blue-grey on the left. The reverse displays an allegorical composition typical of 1940s French banknote design: a reclining male cherub (putto) on the lower left, a central prickly pear cactus plant (Opuntia ficus-indica—a symbol of North African agriculture and colonialism), and a standing female classical figure on the right, all arranged around a shield-shaped cartouche containing the denomination. The color scheme employs purple and mauve engraving with yellow-gold accents in the central ornamental framing, creating a sophisticated Art Deco-influenced aesthetic.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANQUE DE L'ALGERIE' (Bank of Algeria); '25-11-1942' (25 November 1942); 'VINGT FRANCS' (Twenty Francs); 'عشرين فرنك' (Twenty Francs in Arabic); '20' (denomination numeral); 'L'INSPECTEUR GÉNÉRAL' (The Inspector General); 'LE CAISSIER PRINCIPAL' (The Principal Cashier); 'L'ART.129 DU CODE GÉNÉRAL PUNIT DES TRAVAUX FORCÉS À PERPÉTUITÉ LE CONTREFACTEUR' (Article 129 of the General Code punishes counterfeiters with forced labor for life); 'B.13' (series/batch identifier); '9.98' (note identifier). BACK SIDE: '20' (denomination numeral displayed in central cartouche).
Intaglio engraving on paper, a standard security printing method for French colonial banknotes of this era. The fine line work, cross-hatching patterns, and complex ornamental geometric designs are characteristic of high-security intaglio production. The printer for Banque de l'Algérie notes during this period was typically the French state security printer, though specific attribution for this issue would require consultation of contemporary French printing records.
Pick catalog number P-92a. The catalog data indicates three variants exist for this base Pick number (P-92a, P-92b, P-92s), likely representing different signature combinations or series markings. This example displays the signature titles 'L'INSPECTEUR GÉNÉRAL' and 'LE CAISSIER PRINCIPAL' with series identifier 'B.13' and note identifier '9.98,' which are consistent with the P-92a variety. The specific date marking of 25-11-1942 places this within the initial issue date range documented by Pick (1942-1944).
