France

French banknotes span more than two centuries, from the assignats of the French Revolution to the elegant franc notes of the Banque de France before the euro.

This collection includes Revolutionary-era assignats, wartime and post-war francs and PMG-graded examples.

Every note is authentic, graded honestly and photographed front and back, with its Pick number and history in the listing.

History and frequently asked questions below ↓

About France banknotes

The assignats of 1789–1796 were France's first mass paper money, issued during the Revolution against the value of confiscated church lands, and they collapsed in one of history's early hyperinflations. The Banque de France, founded in 1800, then issued francs for two centuries. In 1944 the Allies issued Allied Military Currency francs printed in the United States. The new franc of 1960 replaced the old at 100 to one, and the euro arrived in 2002 at 6.55957 francs per euro.

See also: European banknotes, Belgium, World War II banknotes and hyperinflation banknotes.

Frequently asked questions

What is an assignat?

Paper money of the French Revolution (1789–1796), backed by confiscated church and royal land. Many were hand-signed and are now over 230 years old.

What is Allied Military Currency?

Notes printed in the United States and issued by the Allies in liberated France in 1944.

When did France adopt the euro?

Euro notes and coins replaced the franc on 1 January 2002, at 6.55957 francs per euro.

Are your France banknotes genuine?

Yes. Every France note we sell is a genuine banknote, never a copy or replica. Each listing states the grade, gives the Pick catalogue number where one exists and shows the front and back, and every order ships tracked from Hungary.