500 FRANCS PASCAL (SERIES 1968-1997)

 500 Francs Blaise Pascal (1968-1992)

This French banknote was "mise en circulation" (put into circulation) in January 1st 1969, in replacement of the 500 Francs Molière. The front was designed by the artist Lucien Fontanarosa (1912-1975), the back was realised by two engravers Robert Armanelli (1912-1969) and Claude Durrens (1921-2002). The overall tone of the bill is yellow. It is a smart design as the overall colour tones of all bills of this series is yellow. It is also a good choice as it depicts the sun sets while the philosopher is in meditative mood. The note lacks any kind of ornamental decorative designs, which is the defining feature of banknotes designed by Fontanarosa. Its overall outlines give the impression that the main character together with allegories and allusions of details of their lives are like an oil painting, a distinctive feature of French banknotes as compared to bills of other countries, in which the faces of the main characters are usually crosshatched. 

Description of the front

Pascal portrait in meditative mood

In the centre of the banknote is the large sized portrait of the French polymath Blaise Pascal, with his head resting on his hands, deep in meditative mood.

Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) was a famous French polymath, who contributed to main domains of natural sciences of his day. He was involved in defending a controversial sect of Christianity called Jasenism. He was known for Les Pensées (Thoughts)

Saint Jacques de la Boucherie

On the left side of Pascal is the tower of the demolished Saint Jacques de la Boucherie. The church was erected between 1509 and 1523. It was destroyed in 1797, during the height of the French revolution. It was in this tower that Blaise Pascal conducted an experiment on vacuum and air, following the footstep of Evangelista Toricelli, by carrying a barometer to the tower which was 50 meters high. There, he saw that the level of the mercury fell, which established the fact that air has weight. It was believed, up till that point, that air was natural light and had no weight. Thus, Pascal's discover was controversial at the time.

Cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand

On the right side of Pascal is the cathedral of Clermont-Ferrand, which was located in the birthplace of Blaise Pascal. In 1854, Université Blaise-Pascal (University of Blaise-Pascal) was established bearing his name.

Description of the back

In the back, one finds the exact same portrait of Blaise Pascal as the front. If one holds up the banknote against the light, his portraits on two sides shall exactly match each other. It is perhaps a counterfeit feature.

Port-Royal-des-Champs

Behind Pascal is Port-Royal-des-Champs. It was established in 1204, and became a serious learning centre, known for its high quality education. The abbey was linked to Pascal because he defended the Jansenist against the Jesuits. The doctrinal war between the two Catholic sects tarnished the reputation of the abbey and it was regarded as the haven for heretics. The school was forcibly closed in 1660 and almost all buildings were razed to the ground in 1711. Only the tower is visible nowadays.

Watermark of the bill with death mask of Pascal

The watermark (filligrane) of the bill is the death mask (masque mortuaire) of Pascal.

Difference in colours between diffrerent versions

In general, notes that were issued during the 1970s will have a darker background (in earthly yellow and crimson brown (jaune et marron clair). Notes that were issued in 1980s onward will have a lighter colour tone in general.

500 francs Pascal 1975 (with deep yellow background)

500 francs Pascal 1985 (with light yellow background)