5 Francs, National Bank of Belgium, Belgium, 1914–1919 (Pick 74)

This 5 Francs note was issued in Belgium by the National Bank of Belgium, with dates recorded from 1914–1919. It belongs to the Franc (1832-2001) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Albert I (1909-1934). It measures 125 × 79 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 74.

Obverse: Red on brown underprint. Allegorical figures at left and right. Its lettering reads “BANQUE NATIONALE / DE BELGIQUE / 5 FRANCS / 1.7.14 / PAYABLES A VUE / LA LOI PUNIT / LE CONTREFACTEUR / DES TRAVAUX FORCÉS. / H. HENDRICKX DEL. INV. ALBERT DOMS SC.”. Translation given in the catalogue: “National Bank of Belgium 5 Francs Payable at sight The law punishes the counterfeiter forced labor”. Reverse: Red and brown. Allegorical figures. Its lettering reads “5 / NATIONALE BANK VAN BELGIE / VIJF FRANK / BETAALBAAR OP ZICHT / DE NAMAKER WORDT DOOR DE WET / MET DWANGARBEID GESTRAFT / H. HENDRICKX DEL. INV. ALBERT DOMS SC.”. Translation given in the catalogue: “National Bank of Belgium Five Francs Payable at sight The law punishes the counterfeiter forced labor”.

The note was printed by National Bank of Belgium Printing Works, Brussels, Belgium (1851-2020). Design is credited to Henri Hendrickx. Engraving is credited to Albert Doms. Watermark: Bank of Belgium (only in P#74b). Demonetized: Yes. Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.