100 Francs / Frank BEF Banknote (Pre-World War I Issue) 1906-1908

100 Francs / Frank Belgian Franc (Issued 1906-1908)

The 100 Francs denomination formed a cornerstone of the Banque Nationale de Belgique’s early twentieth-century currency programme, positioned between smaller denominations and higher values to facilitate significant commercial transactions during the pre-war period. This note exemplifies the artistic engraving standards of the Edwardian era, when Belgian currency design reached a zenith of allegorical sophistication and technical precision. The denomination sat prominently within the circulating currency system, serving merchants, financiers and government institutions across the Belgian territories. Its withdrawal following the First World War marked the end of an ornamental banknote design tradition that characterised European currency production in the 1900s.

On the front, the composition centres upon an elaborate allegorical scene featuring multiple figures arranged across the width of the note. Twin angelic or cherub-like figures frame the composition at the upper corners, their bodies rendered in fine crosshatching and stippled engraving techniques that create remarkable depth and modelling. The denomination 100 appears prominently at the top centre in bold serif typography, flanked by vertical lines of guilloché patterning that create a rhythmic border. The text “BANQUE NATIONALE DE BELGIQUE” arcs across the upper portion in capital letters, with the declaration “CENT FRANCS PAYABLES A VUE” positioned beneath, indicating the note’s payable-on-demand character. The central scene depicts reclining female and male figures in classical dress, with elaborate drapery rendered through fine parallel line engraving. A rectangular cartouche containing additional text sits at the base of the central composition. The serial number “136.N.216” appears in the bottom corners of the note in individual boxes, repeated twice. The entire design employs a monochromatic colour palette of sepia, brown and cream tones, with no colour printing. Fine decorative borders frame all edges of the note, featuring intricate scrollwork and geometric patterning. The paper exhibits visible ageing with cream and pale yellow tones throughout.

The reverse depicts allegorical female figures positioned on either side of a central landscape or architectural scene. The left figure reclines against decorative elements whilst the right figure adopts a contemplative pose. Between them sits an expansive landscape vista rendered in fine engraving, creating atmospheric perspective through delicate line work. The denomination “100” appears at the top centre in large serif numerals. The text “NATIONALE BANK VAN BELGIË” occupies the upper middle section in sans-serif capitals, with “HUNDRED FRANK” and “HONDAARD BAAR OP ZICHT” below, reflecting the note’s trilingual character in French, Dutch and German conventions of the era. Additional engraved text and decorative flourishes appear along the bottom edge in fine serif typography. The reverse maintains the same monochromatic sepia and cream colour scheme as the front, with identical watermark circles visible in the upper and lower left quadrants. Fine decorative borders and scrollwork frame all edges, mirroring the ornamental style of the obverse. The paper surface shows visible crease patterns, oxidation marks and age-related discolouration consistent with a banknote from this period.

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• Indicate the quantity of 100 Francs / Frank Belgian Franc banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

From leftover holiday money to inherited collections, Webuyallcurrency.com will exchange or buy your Belgian Francs banknotes and other foreign currency, handling old and withdrawn pieces in the same simple process.