1000 Francs

Issued under the French Treasury rather than the Banque de France, this was an occupation-era allied military currency — the so-called "invasion money" printed for use in France following liberation. The Allied Military Authority franc series was introduced in 1944 and became deeply controversial: the French provisional government under de Gaulle had not been consulted on its design or authorization, and de Gaulle objected strenuously to what he considered a parallel currency undermining French sovereignty over its own finances.

The Banque de France eventually absorbed printing responsibilities for later runs of the series, which is reflected here. Beltrand and Broutin were accomplished intaglio craftsmen whose names appear across multiple Banque de France wartime and postwar issues.