Description

The 10 Francs banknote from Banque de France, dated 1943, is a piece of history that was part of the currency issued during World War II, in a turbulent period for France. These notes were printed during the German occupation of France (1940–1944), and the country was under the control of the Vichy government at the time.

In 1942, the Bank of France continued issuing French francs under the wartime conditions, but the country was dealing with inflation and a scarcity of resources. Currency notes from this period often had distinct designs and were sometimes marked with the German-issued “Reich” stamp or had certain features unique to occupied territories.

Key features of the 1943 10 Francs note:

• Design: Like many wartime notes, the design often included symbols related to French culture, politics, or allegorical figures, but some of these notes were quite simple due to paper shortages and the wartime situation.
• The Vichy Government: The notes issued during this period were often influenced by the collaborationist Vichy regime. They might have included the Vichy emblem or symbols associated with the regime, though later notes could have been re-printed under Allied influence after the liberation of France.
• Condition: As with any banknote from the 1940s, the condition of the note is crucial for collectors. Banknotes from this era, especially those from the Vichy period, can be valuable, though their worth depends on factors like rarity, condition, and whether the note has been kept in mint condition.