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100 Francs / 20 Ariary
| Issuer | Banky Foiben'ny Repoblika Malagasy / Banque Centrale de la République Malgache |
|---|---|
| Year | 1974-1978 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Franc (1963-2004) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Intaglio vignette of an elderly man draped in a traditional lamba occupies the center-right, rendered with fine line engraving against a guilloche underprint. To the center-left, a stylized floral motif is printed in pastel colors, with geometric panel decorations along the left margin incorporating traditional Malagasy patterns. The face value '100' appears in large numerals at lower center, with bilingual bank title inscriptions in both Malagasy and French above. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Women engaged in rice planting are shown in a pastoral vignette occupying the left and central portions of the note, set against a fine guilloche security background. The face value and statutory text appear on the right side, with denominational numerals repeated in the corners. |
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| Comments |
Madagascar's dual-denomination labeling on this series reflects the country's drawn-out currency transition: the ariary had been established as the official unit in 1961, but franc denominations persisted on banknotes for decades as the population — particularly in rural areas — continued to think and transact in francs. Five francs equaled one ariary, a ratio that required both figures on every note well into the 1970s.
Thomas De La Rue printed the series during a period when Madagascar was deepening ties with socialist bloc countries following Ratsiraka's 1975 coup, making London-printed currency a quietly incongruous detail.