Tunisia

The Tunisian Republic is the northernmost country in Africa, and was under French Protectorate from 1881 to 1956. Until 1946 banknotes designs were largely shared with Algeria.

Banque de l'Algérie

The Banque de l’Algérie was created by the French Second Republic in 1851 as an issuing bank for Algeria. When Tunisia became a French Protectorate in 1881, BDA overprinted Algerian notes for use, and by 1949 specific designs were released for Tunisia.

1912-1942 Issues

B207d face
B207d face
B207d (
  • MK403
  • P-8d
) 5 Francs Muslim Girl
Veiled Algerian woman at Port d'Algers
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1/27/1941
  • Sig 2

  • Watermark: Moorish woman’s head


B208d face
B208d face
B208d (
  • MK406d
  • P-6b
) 20 Francs Algerian Woman
Purple. Boys and Cactus
  • Printer: BdF
  • 5/17/1941
  • Sig 2

  • Watermark: Moorish woman’s head

1938-1945 Issues

B214c face
B214c face
B214c (
  • MK412
  • P-12a
) 50 Francs Algerian Couple
Ruins of El Djem Amphitheatre, Tunisia
  • Printer: BdF
  • 5/29/1942
  • Sig 2
  • Date flanked by letters

  • Watermark: Bust of Moorish Woman in profile

B215a face
B215a face
B215a (
  • MK417
  • P-13a
) 100 Francs Algerian Man
Algerian Man wearing Turban; Farmer with Oxen
  • 2/8/1941
  • Sig 8

  • Watermark: Moorish Woman's Head in Profile



1941-1945 Issues

B216a face
B216a face
B216a (
  • MK404a
  • P-15
) 5 Francs Muslim Girl
Veiled Algerian woman at Port d'Algers, Amirauté Lighhouse
  • 2/8/1944
  • Sig 5


B217c face
B217c face
B217c (
  • MK407c
  • P-18
) 20 Francs Algerian Woman, Boys and Cactus
  • Printer: BdF
  • 2/2/1945
  • Sig 2
  • Sig titles L'INSPECTEUR GÉNÉRAL and CAISSIER PRINCIPAL
  • Date without letters

1942 Provisional Issue

German Occupation

B221a face
B221a face
B221a (
  • MK433
  • P-31
) 1000 Francs Minerva and other Allegorical Figures
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1942
  • Sig 9
  • Series 2-54

  • Watermark: Two faces in profile


  • Rousseau, L. SC
    • (B)

1946-1948 Issues

B223a face
B223a face
B223a (
  • MK419
  • P-24
) 100 Francs Hermes
Launching a boat at Sousse, Mosaic
  • Printer: BdF
  • 11/3/1947
  • Sig 10

  • Watermark: Moorish woman’s head

B223b face
B223b face
B223b (
  • MK419
  • P-24
) 100 Francs Hermes
  • 2/9/1948
  • Sig 10
  • Letters before and after the date

Banque de l'Algérie et de la Tunisie

Banque de l’Algérie officially changed its name to Banque de l’Algérie et de la Tunisie in 1948. It printed specific notes for each country.

1950-1952 Issues

B303b face
B303b face
B303b (
  • MK424b
  • P-28
) 500 Francs Winged Victory, Mosaic at Dougga (Cyclops at Work)
  • Printer: BdF
  • 1/16/1952
  • Sig 2

  • Watermark: Moorish woman’s head


B304a face
B304a face
B304a (
  • MK432
  • P-29
) 1000 Francs Roman Ruins of Temples of Sheitla
"Triumph of Neptune" Mosaic from Chebba, Tunisia
  • Printer: BdF
  • 3/15/1950
  • 185 x 93mm
  • Sig 2

  • Watermark: Moorish Woman's head in profile
B305a face
B305a face
B305a (
  • MK436
  • P-30
) 5000 Francs Roman Ruins of Dougga, Roman Emperor Vespasian
"Triumph of Bacchus" Mosaic from Phoenician Colony Hadrumetum
  • Printer: BdF
  • 7/20/1950
  • 207 x 105mm
  • Sig 2

  • Watermark: Moorish Woman's head in profile


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