10 francs 1944

Common. While this is an interesting historical note from the 1944 Allied Military Currency period, market data from realbanknotes.com shows consistent sales at modest prices, with VF examples typically selling for $1–$6 and even UNC grades trading at reasonable levels. The 2016 catalogue value of $80 for UNC represents the dealer asking price rather than achieved market rates. eBay transaction history shows examples in PMG 64 selling for $22 and AUNC for $6, indicating strong supply in the marketplace. The Forbes Lithograph printing for Allied Forces was substantial enough to support this circulation, making high-grade examples readily available to collectors.

Issued in 1944 by the Allied Forces during the liberation of France, this banknote served as supplemental military currency to stabilize the French economy in the immediate aftermath of German occupation. The prominent display of the French flag and Republican ideals ('Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité') on the reverse symbolized the restoration of French sovereignty and democratic values. The 'Émis en France' inscription on the obverse emphasizes that this currency was specifically produced for circulation within France during the transitional period before the restoration of the regular French franc.

The obverse features a geometric security design with an all-over wavy line pattern in turquoise and cyan, with magenta and pink numerals and text creating strong color contrast. Ornamental corner medallions with scrollwork frame the denomination markings of 'DIX FRANCS' prominently displayed in the center. The reverse showcases the French flag (tricolor: blue, white, and red) waving from a pole against a pink and red wavy-line security background, with a decorative border of blue floral or leaf motifs. A cartouche in the center contains the Republican motto. No portraits or specific landmarks are depicted; instead, the design emphasizes patriotic symbolism and democratic ideals appropriate to the liberation period.

OBVERSE: 'ÉMIS EN FRANCE' (Issued in France), 'DIX FRANCS' (Ten Francs), '10' (denomination numeral), Serial number '25023962'. REVERSE: 'LIBERTÉ' (Liberty), 'ÉGALITÉ' (Equality), 'FRATERNITÉ' (Fraternity) — these three words form the French Republican motto, historically representing the core values of the French Republic.

Lithographic printing, executed by Forbes Lithograph Manufacturing Co. of Boston, Massachusetts. The fine line engraving visible throughout both sides, particularly the intricate wavy-line security patterns covering the entire background of both obverse and reverse, demonstrates advanced lithographic technique typical of high-security currency production. The precise color separation and registration of the turquoise, magenta, blue, red, and black inks indicates professional currency-grade lithographic work.

This note appears to be from the first issue of supplemental French Franc currency (1st Issue - Supplemental French Franc Currency) as noted in the external catalog reference. The PMG Population Report indicates P-116a as the catalogued variant. The serial number visible on this specimen (25023962) would be used to distinguish individual examples within production runs, but no specific signature varieties, date variations, or prefix variants are indicated in the available catalog data for this Pick number.