50 francs 1972
Market Prices
44 salesAbout This Note
This is a pristine example of the Luxembourg 50 Francs issued on 25 August 1972 (Pick P-55a), graded UNC. The obverse features a striking portrait of Grand Duke Jean in military dress uniform with medals and insignia, rendered in high-quality intaglio engraving with ornate guilloche borders and security patterns. The reverse depicts an industrial labor scene with steelworkers and factory machinery, symbolizing Luxembourg's economic strength during this period. The note exhibits exceptional preservation with crisp, sharp printing throughout and no visible wear, making it a desirable example for collectors of European banknotes.
Common. While this is a legitimate European currency issue from 1972, eBay market data shows UNC examples consistently selling in the $13-20 range across the 2011-2023 period, with occasional premiums for high-grade professional grading (PMG 67-68 reaching $25-36 and PMG 68 peaking at $102.50). The regular circulation of this denomination and the absence of any documented rarity indicators suggest a substantial print run. The current UNC example at $15 catalog value aligns with typical market behavior for common European banknotes of this era in excellent condition.
Issued during the reign of Grand Duke Jean (1964-2000), this note represents Luxembourg's post-war economic prominence as a steel and financial center. The reverse's depiction of steelworkers and industrial machinery reflects the nation's reliance on heavy industry and manufacturing during the 1970s, a critical period before the transition to financial services that would come later. The military portrait of the Grand Duke reinforces the state's sovereignty and constitutional monarchy during the Cold War era.
The obverse features a three-quarter facing portrait of Grand Duke Jean positioned at left-center, dressed in a military uniform with visible medals, decorations, and insignia reflecting his role as sovereign. The portrait is framed by elaborate ornamental guilloche work and geometric security patterns in pink, cream, and gray tones with black engraved details and gold/tan highlights. The reverse presents a detailed black and white industrial scene depicting multiple steelworkers engaged in labor within a factory setting, with prominent machinery, cylindrical industrial equipment, and metal framework visible. The composition emphasizes Luxembourg's industrial heritage and working-class contribution to the nation's economy. Both sides feature the denomination '50' and decorative borders executed in fine intaglio line work.
FRONT: 'GRAND-DUCHÉ DE LUXEMBOURG' (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg), 'CINQUANTE FRANCS' (Fifty Francs), '25 AOÛT 1972' (25 August 1972), 'LA CAISSE GÉNÉRALE DE L'ÉTAT' (The General Treasury of the State), 'LE MINISTRE DES FINANCES' (The Minister of Finance), Serial number 'C314928' (in red). BACK: '50 GRAND-DUCHÉ DE LUXEMBOURG 50' (50 Grand Duchy of Luxembourg 50).
Intaglio engraving (taille-douce), characteristic of high-security banknote production. The note exhibits fine line guilloche patterns, detailed background security printing, and precise engraved portraiture. The red serial number indicates selective color printing overlay. This note was likely produced by the Banque de l'État de Luxembourg's official printer, utilizing traditional European security printing standards of the early 1970s.
This note is cataloged as Pick P-55a, with the watermark featuring Grand Duke Jean. Four additional varieties are documented in the PMG Population Report (P-55b, P-55bs, P-55cts, P-55s), likely representing different printing runs, signatures, or security features. The serial number C314928 observed on this specimen does not indicate any known special variety. No significant overprints, signature variations, or date modifications are evident from the visual analysis that would distinguish this as a notable variety within the P-55a classification.
