500 francs 1981

Common. While this is a collectible banknote with historical significance, the 500 Francs Pick 156 series (issued 1968-1993) had substantial circulation and print runs. eBay market data consistently shows notes in VF condition selling in the $5-$50 range, with UNC examples typically fetching $60-$160 depending on specific variety and demand. The availability of numerous sales records spanning over a decade confirms this is a common date and denomination in the collector market. UNC examples command moderate premiums but remain regularly available.

Issued by the Banque de France during the early 1980s, this note commemorates Blaise Pascal (1623-1662), the renowned French mathematician, physicist, and philosopher. The front features the Tower of Saint-Jacques in Paris, a Gothic landmark historically significant in Pascal's era, while the reverse depicts the Port-Royal des Champs monastery near Versailles, the Jansenist religious community with which Pascal was closely associated. Together, these architectural elements reflect both Pascal's intellectual contributions and his spiritual dimensions during a transformative period in French intellectual history.

The banknote features a sophisticated engraved portrait of Blaise Pascal in left-facing profile, depicted with shoulder-length dark hair and period clothing, his hand raised to his head in a classic contemplative pose suggesting intellectual engagement. The obverse incorporates the Tower of Saint-Jacques (Tour Saint-Jacques), the iconic Gothic bell tower located in Paris's 4th arrondissement, positioned at the left with its distinctive clock face rendered in fine detail. The reverse showcases the Abbey Church of Port-Royal des Champs near Versailles, the spiritual and intellectual center of Jansenism, depicted with its characteristic domed chapel and ecclesiastical architecture. Both sides employ intricate engraving with watermark areas visible in the center depicting Pascal's profile. Decorative scrollwork and architectural vignettes frame the design, while the cream and sepia coloration scheme creates a distinguished, classical aesthetic appropriate to the historical subject matter.

FRONT SIDE: '500' and 'CINQ CENTS FRANCS' (Five Hundred Francs) — denomination in numerals and words; 'BANQUE DE FRANCE' (Bank of France) — issuing authority; 'LE CONTROLEUR GAL' (The General Controller), 'LE CAISSIER GAL' (The General Cashier), 'LE SECRÉTAIRE GAL' (The General Secretary) — official signature lines; 'B.2-7-1981.B.' (Date code: 2 July 1981) — issue date; serial number '8551490333' with prefix 'B.143'. BACK SIDE: 'BANQUE DE FRANCE' (Bank of France); 'ARTICLE 139 DU CODE PÉNAL PUNIT DE LA RÉCLUSION CRIMINELLE À PERPÉTUITÉ CEUX QUI AURONT CONTREFAIT OU FALSIFIÉ LES BILLETS DE BANQUE AUTORISÉS PAR LA LOI AINSI QUE CEUX QUI AURONT FAIT USAGE DE CES BILLETS CONTREFAITS OU FALSIFIÉS. CEUX QUI AURONT INTRODUIT EN FRANCE SERONT PUNIS DE LA MÊME PEINE' (Article 139 of the Penal Code punishes with life imprisonment those who will have counterfeited or forged banknotes authorized by law as well as those who will have made use of these counterfeit or forged banknotes. Those who will have introduced them into France will be punished with the same penalty) — anti-counterfeiting warning.

Intaglio (engraved) printing on banknote paper, employing the traditional and highly sophisticated security printing techniques characteristic of Banque de France production during this era. The crisp, sharp detail visible in both portraits and architectural elements, combined with the fine line work evident in the decorative elements and security features, indicates professional security printing by the French state printing authority. The watermark featuring Blaise Pascal's profile is integrated into the paper substrate itself, a standard security feature of French banknote production.

This note is catalogued as Pick 156e, one of eight variants documented by PMG for the base 500 Francs number, all sharing the watermark of Blaise Pascal. The 'e' designation indicates this is an intermediate printing variant within the 1968-1993 issuance period, likely distinguished by signature combinations or minor printing characteristics. The date code 'B.2-7-1981.B.' on the front indicates an issue date of 2 July 1981, helping to narrow the specific printing period. The serial number prefix 'B.143' and serial number format are consistent with Banque de France standards of the period.