0 Euro - Francis I - Roi de France 1515-1547

Souvenir euros are printed by Oberthur Fiduciaire under license from the European Central Bank, which permits their production provided they bear no legal tender status and carry clear collector markings. The series has issued hundreds of subjects since its introduction, with French historical figures forming one of the largest thematic categories — Francis I appearing somewhat inevitably given his association with the Italian Renaissance campaigns and the flowering of French royal patronage.

No monetary history here; the interest is purely philatelic. Oberthur's security printing credentials are genuine, and the notes use the same substrate and some of the same anti-counterfeiting features as circulating issues.