Catalog
1000 Francs
| Issuer | Banque Nationale de Belgique |
|---|---|
| Year | 1853 |
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| Size | 185 × 95 mm |
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| Obverse description | Blue intaglio print on white paper. Allegorical vignettes of Industry at left and Trade at right flank the central text panel, with the Royal Arms of Belgium at bottom center. Two circular official stamps are visible at the lateral margins, one in red and one in black. |
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| Obverse lettering | ROYALME DE BELGIQUE 1000 1000 BANQUE NATIONALE. LOI de 5 Mai 1850 IL SERA PAYÉ EN ESPÈCIES, À VUE, AU PORTEUR MILLE FRANCS 22 Aôut 1853. (Translation: Kingdom of Belgium National Bank Law of May 5, 1850 It will be paid in cash, on sight, to bearer One Thousand Francs August 22th., 1853.) |
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| Comments |
The Banque Nationale de Belgique was itself only founded in 1850, making this 1853 note among the earliest high-denomination issues the institution ever produced. Joseph-Pierre Braemt was the principal engraver at the Brussels Mint — his involvement here reflects the close institutional relationship between the Mint and the newly established bank during its formative years, when Belgium lacked a mature private bank-note printing trade and drew on whatever skilled engravers the state could supply.
At 1000 Francs, this was a note for wholesale merchants, notaries, and large commercial transactions — not everyday circulation. Survival rate is accordingly low; notes of this value were typically retired quickly once settled.