200 FRANCS MONTESQUIEU (SERIES 1968-1997)

 200 Francs Montesquieu (1981-1994)

The French 200 Francs Montesquieu was a new addition, as the previous series did not have any note of such a denomination. It was designed by Pierrette Lambert (1928-) and was engraved by Jacques Jubert (1940-) and Claude Durrens (1921-2002). This note is arguably the most ornamentally designed one in the series, as other notes lack its intricate decorative patterns.

Description of the front

Montesquieu portrait in the front

Bust of Montesquieu by Lemoyne

On the right side is the portrait of Charle Louis de Secondat, baron of La Brède and Montesquieu, known to posterity simply as Montesquieu. He was the author of the famous oeuvre "L'esprit des loix" (Spirit of the Law), which helped to popularize the concept of "seperation of powers" and influenced a great deal to the Forefathers of the United States. His portrait was based upon the marble bust sculpted by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne.

Coat of arms of Montesquieu

To the right side of the portrait is the coat of arms of Montesquieu, signifying that the philosopher was born into an aristocratic family.

In the left corner is an allegorical figure, perhaps a representation of Lady of Justice, holding a heraldry comprising of a sword, a balance of justice, and the inscription "L'esprit des Lois", an allusion to the aforementioned famous political treatise of Montesquieu. 

Description of the back

In the back, the same portrait of Montesquieu is found. When being tilted against the light, two portraits in the front and back with match each other, serving as a kind of counterfeiting feature.

To the left side of the portrait is the statute of Lucius Cornelius Sylla dressing in old Roman style.

Statute of Lucius Cornelius Sylla in real life

Statute of Lucius Cornelius Sylla

Dialogue de Sylla et d'Eucrate

Beneath the statute is the line "Dialogue de Sylla et d'Eucrate" (Dialogue between Sylla and Eucrate), which was taken from Lettres persanes (Persian letters), an epistolary "novel" narrating the journey of two fictional Persian Usbek and Rica on their journey to France and recording their impression of French political institutions and society.

Female figurine in Persian attire

To the right side of the note is a figure of perhaps Rica, dressed in Persian attire, holding and reading a scroll of paper.

Château de La Brède

Below the female figurine is the Château de La Brède (Castle of La Brede), where Montesquieu was born. The Château is now located in Gironde.

Difference in the description of punishment for counterfeit and falsification

Since the banknote was issued up till 1994, there was a change in the law that concerned with punishment against counterfeit and falsification. 

Description of law on pre-1994 notes

"Article of 139 of penal code punished with life imprisonment those who who have made counterfeits or falisfied the banknotes of the bank, authorised by the law, as well as those who have made use these counterfeited or falsified bills. Those who would introduce these bills in France would endure the same punishment."

Description of law on 1994-issued notes

"The counterfeiting and falsification of bills of the bank and the act of putting them into circulations of these counterfeit or falsified bills are punished by the article 442-1 and 442-2 of penal code, with punishment that can go up to 30 years of life imprisonment and 3 millions francs of fine.