Cent Francs - María Mendoza


Maybe it’s because I like history, but I believe giving a bit of informational background on a topic really aids in establishing context and also helps with a person’s understanding. I didn’t know much about the European Union, how it came to be, or the magnitude at which it changed the economies of the nations that became part of it, but while researching a bit on my Franc banknote I found that France was one of the European Union’s founding members in 1957 (along with Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands).
It would be a reasonable then, for one to assume that the Euro was created soon after the union occurred, since the point of the EU was to be a political and economic establishment which would help European nations achieve long-lasting prosperity, but surprisingly the Euro was not “official” until January 1, 1999. And it was not until January 1, 2002 that the seven banknotes and eight coins began circulation as physical currency. So what of the nations’ economies before the Euro, particularly France’s?
Well the French Franc was first introduced in 1360! And though it underwent several changes and even a period where it was replaced (during King Louis XIII’s reign), the Franc had stuck around for hundreds of years. But as was expected of World War II, many economies – especially the European ones – were strongly affected, which is why during the forties and fifties the French Franc was seriously devalued. Thus, in 1960 a new French Franc was introduced again and it lasted as France’s official currency until 1999 when it was replaced by the Euro.


I included a picture of my cent (100) Francs banknote because I love visuals, but more than that I would like to mention a bit about the beauty and significance of the banknotes. What is so captivating about them is the fact that they represent French culture. The notes observe historical figures of all kinds and landscapes and symbols of France. Unlike our own bills which currently only feature presidents or politicians (and just men), French Franc banknotes were often statements of a historical achievements in many different fields.
Take for example the 100 Franc note displayed above. The person pictured there is Ferdinand Victor Eugène Delacroix (April 26, 1798 - August 13, 1863), an artist whom is widely regarded as the most important of the French Romantic painters. Depicted on one side of the note, (the bottom one with W.33 on the bottom right hand corner) is Delacroix’s most famous painting: “Liberty Leading the People” which highlighted the revolutionaries of Paris uniting together against king Charles X in 1830. The goal of this work of art was to show the “spirit of liberty” and how determined the Parisians were to fight what they believed in, which was liberty, equality, and fraternity – represented by the three colors on the French flag being held up by Lady Liberty. Delacroix’s impact on art was monumental because of his style and flair when painting. He was the inspiration for impressionist artists who noted his use of vibrant color and how the emphasis of color had a big effect on a piece. He also inspired symbolist artists who embraced his dramatic and exotic take on art. Therefore, his position as leader of the Romantic movement in France really paved a path for many other forms of art to develop.
And seeing as how he made such an impact on art it was no wonder then that he was chosen to be depicted on the 100 francs banknote! Eventually, however, on December 15, 1997 the 100 Franc banknote with Eugène Delacroix’s face and his painting of “Liberty Leading the People” was replaced with a new orange bill that had Paul Cézanne on it (another artist but this time of the Post-impressionist movement).


Some Franc facts that may be of interest to you!
·       Conversion Rate:
€1 = 6.55957 FRF
·       The Banque de France still exchanged Francs until fairly recently. The exchange of coin Francs ended on February 17, 2005, and of the banknotes on February 17, 2012.
·       The currency symbol for the Franc: F, FF, or FRF

Some more reading:
·       https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/euro-area/euro/eu-countries-and-euro/france-and-euro_en
·       https://www.oanda.com/currency/iso-currency-codes/FRF
·       http://www.theartstory.org/artist-delacroix-eugene.htm
·       https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eugene-Delacroix





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