100 francs 1944

Common. The eBay market price history shows examples in Fair condition selling for $1.30 to $6.05 in the 2010s, with catalog values for Fair grade at approximately $2 USD as of 2016. These Allied Military Currency notes were produced in substantial quantities to facilitate the 1944 liberation operations, and surviving examples remain readily available to collectors. The widespread circulation and subsequent preservation of many notes, combined with low market valuations, confirm this as a common issue rather than a scarce or rare variety.

Issued in 1944 by the Allied Forces during the liberation of France from Nazi occupation, this military currency served as provisional legal tender to establish monetary control and facilitate commerce in newly liberated French territories. The reverse's prominent display of the French Republican motto—Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité—symbolized the restoration of French democratic values and national sovereignty. This transitional currency bridges the gap between German occupation currency and the restoration of the French franc, representing a critical moment in France's post-war reconstruction.

This non-portraiture design emphasizes geometric security elements rather than depictions of historical figures or landmarks. The front features an ornate rectangular frame containing the denomination, set against a complex turquoise-green background filled with intricate wave patterns and geometric line work. Ornate cross designs and decorative corner pieces anchor the four corners, while large blue numerals '100' appear at top and bottom for easy denomination recognition. The reverse maintains symmetry with an elaborate cream-colored background, featuring an ornate oval frame in the center surrounded by blue decorative scrollwork and flourishes in the corners. The repeated use of guilloche patterns and parallel line work throughout both sides served as an anti-counterfeiting measure typical of mid-20th century currency design.

Front: '100' (denomination), 'CENT FRANCS' (one hundred francs), 'FRANCE' (country, appears twice), 'SÉRIE M 15' (series designation), '11299612' (serial number), '1944' (year of issue). Back: 'LIBERTÉ' (Liberty), 'ÉGALITÉ' (Equality), 'FRATERNITÉ' (Fraternity—the French Republican motto), 'FRANCE' (country).

Intaglio printing (engraved and recess-printed), evidenced by the precise, deeply-rendered guilloche patterns, fine parallel lines, and intricate geometric designs visible throughout both sides. The complex security patterns and sharp detail characteristic of intaglio printing are apparent in the wave patterns, corner ornaments, and the rectangular denomination frame. For the P-123b variant, the printer is identified as Forbes in PMG population reports of related variants.

This note is identified as Pick P-123b, the 2nd Issue variant, specifically distinguished by the absence of 'Émis en France' (Issued in France) text on the front. The Series M 15 and serial number 11299612 are documented on this example. Related variants catalogued by PMG include P-123c (printer: Forbes), P-123d, and P-123e, indicating multiple printing or distribution variants exist within this denomination and year. The specific series designation and printer information would be needed to pinpoint the exact sub-variety of this P-123b example.