Belgian notes pre euro 01b - series 1994

200 BEF

The second note in the last series of Belgian banknotes is a 200 Belgian francs note.
It is the first note of 200 franks that was issued in Belgium, now the denomination of €200 is used and has similar colours.

200 Belgian francs with Adolphe Sax

 
The 200 note is dedicated to Adolphe Sax - yes the one from the saxophone.
On November 6, 1814 Adolphe Sax was born in the south of Belgium, in the city of Dinant.
Adolphe got his musical knowledge and skills from his father, Charles-Joseph, who moved to Brussels in 1815, as he became the leading maker of wind instruments, and supplier of the Royal Dutch Court.
In 1815, Belgium and The Netherlands were one country - as a result of the defeat of Napoleon in Waterloo.

Adolphe Sax, father of the saxophone

Originally the saxophone was made out of wood, and is therefore in the section of the wind instruments.  Because of the noumerous valves and levers, the wood broke easily, so the changed the instrument into brass.

The 200 francs note, shows a young Adolphe Sax, his instruments and music notes.

reverse side of 200 Belgian francs 1994

On the reverse side, a jazz combo is playing the saxophone and the city of Dinant is depicted.
In Dinant, several statues refer to its most famous citizen.

Statue of Adolphe Sax in Dinant

Besides the micro text and the hidden images (similar to the 100 BEF note), we can see the text "200 F" in the security thread

various security marks

The image of Sax in the watermark, appears white with a dark signature when the banknote is in the normal position, and opposite when held against the light.
Face value is still € 4.96 but good copies cost at least double.

to be continued ...