THE “SECRET” BANKNOTES

From its creation in 1800 until the transition to the euro, the Banque de France issued more than a hundred banknotes. But hundreds more remained in the project phase and were never actually put into circulation: reserve banknotes that were never used, those depicting themes that were rendered obsolete by current affairs, denominations that no longer matched the needs of the population... There are many reasons why they were abandoned at the last minute.

Few sovereigns have appeared on French banknotes, the main exceptions being Napoleon and Henry IV. The 1986-type “Renaissance” 500-franc note features Anne of Brittany, who reigned twice as Queen of France through her marriages to Charles VIII then Louis XII.
The extremely detailed picture, created by the talented miniaturist Pierrette Lambert, shows Anne of Brittany’s portrait set against scenes inspired by the illuminated manuscripts of the early 16th century. The reverse features the same portrait alongside the Châteaux of Chenonceau and Chambord.
The banknote was part of a broader project for a series dedicated to major historical periods – Romanesque, Medieval, Renaissance – rather than notable citizens (a foreshadowing of the future themes for euro banknotes?).
A million copies were printed to test the new printing techniques on an industrial scale, and the entire stock of “Renaissance” notes was kept on reserve in case the 1968-type “Pascal” 500-franc note was counterfeited. However, it was never used, as the 500-franc note from the next series had already been reserved for Marie Curie.