₣10 — Ten Francs
The artwork
Front: Voltaire at his desk, quill in hand, in a full powdered wig and plum-red coat, turned out of a carved armchair towards the reader. Behind him the Palais des Tuileries stands along the Seine, framed by heavy foliage that runs up both edges of the note. "Banque de France" and "DIX FRANCS" sit in engraved capitals above the three signature lines; large numerals 10 anchor the upper corners.
Back: Voltaire again, this time out of doors and shown in profile against the Château de Cirey in Champagne, the house where he lived and worked with the Marquise du Châtelet. The same dense garden foliage and multicoloured ornamental borders carry over from the face, with the value repeated in numerals and the serial number and date restated in small type.
In circulation
A Banque de France design of the 1960s and early 1970s, this example dated 1 June 1972. The Berlioz 10 francs began replacing it that same year, and the denomination was soon taken over entirely by the 10 franc coin, leaving the Voltaire note to be withdrawn from everyday use.
Details
- CurrencyFranc (₣)
- DenominationTen Francs
- Collectedon the France journeys, 1991–2019
- IssuerBanque de France
- Series10 Francs Voltaire, dated K.1-6-1972.K., serial E.795 01890
- SignaturePierre Vergnes as Caissier Général, with the Contrôleur Général and Secrétaire Général
- WatermarkHead of Voltaire