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5 Francs, Bank of France, France, 1912–1917 (Pick 70)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1912-1917

Issuing entity

France

This 5 Francs note was issued in France by the Bank of France, with dates recorded from 1912–1917. It belongs to the Franc (1795-1959) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Third Republic (1870-1940). It measures 125 × 80 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 70.

Obverse: Two statues on pedestal to the right and left of the banknote, in blue. Value in blue in the center. Date with zodiac sign. Its lettering reads “BANQUE de FRANCE / CINQ / FRANCS / 5 | 5 / L'ARTICLE 139 DU CODE PÉNAL PUNIT DES TRAVAUX FORCÉS A PERPETUITE CEUX QUI AURONT CONTREFAIT OU FALSIFIÉ LES BILLET DE BANQUES AUTORISÉES PAR LA LOI AINSI QUE CEUX QUI AURONT FAIT USAGE DE CES BILLETS / CAM. CHAZAL INV. ET DEL. GRAVURE DUJARDIN”.

Reverse: Cornucopias and floral motifs. Its lettering reads “5 | 5 / 5 | BANQUE DE FRANCE | 5 / GEO. DUVAL_fec.”. Design is credited to Charles Camille Chazal, Georges Duval. Engraving is credited to Paul Dujardin, Henri Pierson. Watermark: Reading on the reverse FEMALE HEAD in profile and BANQUE DE FRANCE below. Issue date recorded in the catalogue: 30 July 1914. Demonetized: 31 December 1933. 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.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

5 Francs Blue (type 1905) One combination of signatories : a) Paul Ernest-Picard – Alfred Julien-Laferrière Type 1905 adapted 1915 Addition of a ninth digit to the control number (from the alphabet 4001 dated January 1915) due to the strong increase in production. One combination of signatories : a) Paul Ernest-Picard – Alfred Julien-Laferrière Zodiac signs on banknotes: January / Aquarius February / Pisces Mars / Aries April / Taurus May / Gemini June / Cancer July / Leo August / Virgo September / Libra October / Scorpio November / Sagittarius December / Capricorn World Paper Money does not distinguish between type 1905 and type 1905, inverted lion. Zodiac Leo sign upside down: Explanation on the banknote:

Physical characteristics

Size
125 × 80 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper
Watermark
Reading on the reverse FEMALE HEAD in profile and BANQUE DE FRANCE below

Technical characteristics

Currency
Franc (1795-1959)
Designer
Charles Camille Chazal, Georges Duval
Engraver
Paul Dujardin, Henri Pierson
Demonetized
31 December 1933
Issuing bank
Bank of France

Design

Obverse
Two statues on pedestal to the right and left of the banknote, in blue. Value in blue in the center. Date with zodiac sign.
Reverse
Cornucopias and floral motifs.
Obverse lettering
BANQUE de FRANCE / CINQ / FRANCS / 5 | 5 / L'ARTICLE 139 DU CODE PÉNAL PUNIT DES TRAVAUX FORCÉS A PERPETUITE CEUX QUI AURONT CONTREFAIT OU FALSIFIÉ LES BILLET DE BANQUES AUTORISÉES PAR LA LOI AINSI QUE CEUX QUI AURONT FAIT USAGE DE CES BILLETS / CAM. CHAZAL INV. ET DEL. GRAVURE DUJARDIN
Reverse lettering
5 | 5 / 5 | BANQUE DE FRANCE | 5 / GEO. DUVAL_fec.

Identification

Value
5 Francs
Dates recorded
1912-1917
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 70

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Research required
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P70
  • NumistaN# 206647

Research required

  • Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.
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