500 Nouveaux Francs - Molière type 1959

The 500 NF denomination was introduced as part of France's 1960 redenomination, where 100 old francs became 1 nouveau franc — a reform designed to stabilize confidence in the currency after decades of postwar inflation had reduced the old franc to near-absurdity. This note circulated through the entire NF period, with the final signature combination running to September 1966, shortly before the "nouveaux" designation was quietly dropped and franc notes reverted to plain franc labeling.

Beltrand came from a distinguished dynasty of wood engravers; his work on the reverse continues a family tradition traceable to his father Jacques, who was equally prominent in French graphic arts.