French Currency Appraisal

20 Francs French Banknote (Claude Debussy Type)

The item is a 20 Francs banknote from France, featuring Claude Debussy. The physical characteristics indicate a paper currency, likely made from a cotton-linen blend for durability, typical of banknotes from this era. Its primary colors are shades of brown, beige, and possibly some lighter tones in the background, with a prominent portrait in the foreground. The note measures approximately typical banknote size. Notable features include the text 'BANQUE de FRANCE' at the top right, 'VINGT FRANCS' vertically along the left side, and the denomination '20' in the bottom right corner. The serial number '859768' is visible vertically near the left edge. Below the portrait, the name 'CLAUDE DEBUSSY' is discernible. There is a visible date '1997' in the bottom left, suggesting its year of issue or design. The note exhibits clear signs of circulation, including multiple significant folds and creases throughout, indicating wear from handling. There are no obvious tears or major rips, but the paper appears softened from use. The overall quality of printing suggests a high level of craftsmanship for security features, although the image resolution does not allow for detailed inspection of watermarks or security threads. This banknote belongs to a series issued by the Banque de France commemorating famous French figures. The style period is late 20th century, specifically 1997 as indicated, before France adopted the Euro.