10 francs 1965

Common. eBay market data shows consistent sales ranging from $1.03 to $54.99 depending on condition grade, with the majority of sales below $20. While AU specimens command higher prices ($11.50-$51 observed), the overall abundance of sales records and relatively modest price points for this Pick number indicate a large print run and ready availability in the secondary market. This is a regular issue from a major central bank with no indication of recall or rarity factors.

Issued by the Banque de France during 1963-1965, this note commemorates François Voltaire, the influential 18th-century Enlightenment philosopher, reflecting France's cultural pride in its intellectual heritage. The obverse features the Palais des Tuileries, the former royal residence in Paris, while the reverse depicts the Château de Cirey, Voltaire's actual residence where he lived and conducted his philosophical work. This design choice underscores the French state's recognition of Voltaire's significance to both national culture and the history of rational thought.

This banknote features François Voltaire (1694-1778), the celebrated Enlightenment philosopher, depicted in two distinct poses reflecting different aspects of his legacy. On the obverse, Voltaire appears in three-quarter view on the right side, wearing an 18th-century red coat with green collar and a white curled wig, holding an olive branch symbolizing peace and reason. The background shows the Palais des Tuileries in Paris, the former seat of French royal power. On the reverse, Voltaire is shown in left profile, similarly attired, holding a document representing his prolific literary and philosophical output, with the Château de Cirey—his actual residence in northeastern France—depicted in the background with its distinctive spires and formal gardens. Both sides feature an elaborate oval watermark area and decorative ornamental borders with gold filigree patterns, corner medallions, and floral-geometric designs. The multicolored palette of cream, red, gold, green, brown, and purple creates visual depth and security differentiation.

OBVERSE: 'BANQUE de FRANCE' (Bank of France) / 'DIX FRANCS' (Ten Francs) / 'LE CONTROLEUR GAL' (The General Controller) / 'LE CAISSIER GAL' (The General Cashier) / 'LE SECRETAIRE GAL' (The General Secretary) / Serial number: 0361893271 / Plate reference: T.145 / Date code: G.1-4-1965.G. REVERSE: 'BANQUE de FRANCE' (Bank of France) / '10' (Ten) / Legal warning: 'L'ARTICLE 139 DU CODE PENAL PUNIT DE LA PEINE D'EMPRISONNEMENT A PERPETUITE LE FAUX ET L'USAGE DE FAUX BILLETS DE BANQUE AUTORISE PAR LA LOI, AINSI QUE CELUI DONT ON AURA INTRODUITS EN FRANCE SERONT PUNIS DE LA MÊME PEINE' (Article 139 of the Penal Code punishes with life imprisonment the counterfeiting and use of counterfeit banknotes authorized by law, as well as anyone who shall have introduced them into France shall be punished with the same penalty)

This note was produced using intaglio (engraved) printing combined with multicolor lithography, a standard technique for Banque de France currency of this period. The fine detail work in the portraits, ornamental borders, and architectural backgrounds, along with the crisp registration of multiple colors, indicates professional security printing by a specialist printer. The Banque de France typically contracted with companies such as Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. or domestic French security printers for such denominations. The watermark security feature and signature lines are characteristic of intaglio production methods.

This note is cataloged as Pick P-147a, the first identified variety of the 1963-1965 10 Francs Voltaire issue. The Pick catalog recognizes four variants (P-147a through P-147d) for this base denomination, differentiated by watermark configuration or signature varieties. The observed note shows the watermark portrait of Voltaire as indicated in the catalog reference. The date code 'G.1-4-1965.G.' and plate reference 'T.145' suggest this is from the final issued batch of this series before variant changes, though without direct access to the other varieties, the specific distinguishing characteristics of P-147a relative to P-147b-d cannot be definitively stated from the visual analysis alone.