You’re cleaning out a dusty attic or maybe an old travel bag from that 1990s backpacking trip, and there it is. A crisp, colorful banknote with "Franc" written across it. Your heart skips a beat. Is this a hidden treasure? Or just a pretty piece of paper?
The truth is, asking how much is a franc worth is kind of like asking "how much is a car worth?" It depends entirely on whether you're talking about a vintage Peugeot or a brand-new Ferrari.
If you have a Swiss franc in your hand right now, you're basically holding gold. If it's a French franc, well, you've got a cool souvenir for a scrapbook. The gap between the different "francs" in 2026 is massive, and honestly, it’s one of the most confusing parts of the global currency market for anyone who isn't a forex trader.
The Swiss Franc: The Heavyweight Champion
Let's start with the one that actually pays the bills. The Swiss franc (CHF) isn't just "worth something"—it’s one of the strongest currencies on the planet. As of mid-January 2026, 1 Swiss franc is worth about $1.25 USD.
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Yeah, you read that right. The "Swissie" is worth more than the American dollar. It’s also stronger than the Euro, with 1 CHF fetching roughly 1.07 EUR.
Why is it so high? Basically, because the world is a chaotic place. Switzerland has this reputation for being the "safe haven." When geopolitics get messy—like the recent tensions between the U.S. administration and the Federal Reserve—investors freak out and dump their money into Swiss banks.
Actually, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) has had a wild ride lately. For a while, they were cutting interest rates like crazy to keep the franc from getting too strong, because a super-expensive currency makes it hard for Swiss companies to sell chocolate and watches abroad. Right now, they’ve leveled off at about 0% interest, but the franc remains stubborn. It stays high because people trust it.
Quick Cheat Sheet for Swiss Francs (2026 Rates)
- 5 CHF: About $6.25 — Enough for a decent coffee in Zurich (maybe).
- 20 CHF: Around $25.00 — A light lunch.
- 100 CHF: Roughly $125.00 — A serious dinner or a tank of gas.
The French Franc: A Ghost of the Past
Now, here is where the heartbreak happens. If you found a 100 Franc note featuring Paul Cézanne, I have some bad news. It’s worth exactly zero at the bank.
France officially ditched the franc for the Euro back in 2002. For a decade, you could still swap them at the Banque de France, but that window slammed shut on February 17, 2012.
If you still want to do the "old math" for nostalgia's sake, the rate was permanently frozen at 6.55957 francs to 1 Euro. So, a 100-franc note would have been worth about 15 Euros.
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But wait! Don't throw it away.
Collectors (numismatists) still buy these. A rare "Delacroix" 100-franc note in perfect condition can sometimes sell for way more than its face value on eBay. It's no longer "money," but it is "merchandise."
The African Francs: A Different World
This is the part that catches people off guard. There are actually two different "CFA francs" used across 14 countries in Africa. There's the West African CFA franc (XOF) and the Central African CFA franc (XAF).
They have a completely different scale. They are pegged to the Euro, meaning their value doesn't jump around like the Swiss franc does.
In early 2026, the exchange rate is roughly 655.95 CFA francs to 1 Euro.
If you're looking at US dollars, 1 CFA franc is worth about $0.0018.
Basically, you need about 565 of these to equal one single US dollar. It’s a "low-value" currency in terms of unit price, but it provides stability for countries like Senegal, Cameroon, and the Ivory Coast. There’s a lot of political drama surrounding these currencies lately, with some nations wanting to break away from the "colonial" ties to the French treasury, but for now, the peg holds firm.
Other Francs Still Kicking Around
Believe it or not, the list doesn't end there. If you're traveling the world, you might run into these:
- The CFP Franc (XPF): Used in French Polynesia (Tahiti!) and New Caledonia. It's also pegged to the Euro. 1,000 XPF is worth about 8.38 Euros. It's basically "vacation money."
- The Guinean Franc (GNF): This one is even lower in value than the CFA. You'll often see banknotes in the tens of thousands.
- The Rwandan Franc (RWF): Used in one of Africa's fastest-growing economies. It's not pegged to the Euro, so its value fluctuates based on the market.
Why Does the Value Change So Much?
It’s easy to get frustrated by these numbers. Why is one franc worth $1.25 and another worth 1/10th of a cent?
It mostly comes down to inflation history and central bank policy. Switzerland has spent a century being obsessed with low inflation. They'd rather have a "boring" economy than a volatile one. On the other hand, many African nations use a fixed peg to the Euro to prevent the kind of hyperinflation that would make their currency worthless overnight.
What Should You Do With Your Old Francs?
If you've got a pile of francs and you're wondering what the next move is, here is the expert advice:
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- Check the Country: If it says "Confoederatio Helvetica," it’s Swiss. Go to a bank or an airport exchange. It is very much real money.
- Look for a Date: If it's a French, Belgian, or Luxembourgish franc, it’s a collectible. Check sites like Numista or eBay to see if your specific serial number or year is rare.
- The Baguette Test: In France, people still joke that the switch to the Euro made everything expensive. In 2001, a baguette was about 1 franc. Today, a baguette is usually over 1.20 Euros—which is nearly 8 old francs! Understanding how much is a franc worth is often more about "purchasing power" than just a number on a screen.
Your Action Plan
- Identify the issuer. Look for the central bank name on the bill.
- Verify the status. Use a live converter like XE or OANDA specifically for the "CHF" (Swiss) or "XOF/XAF" (CFA) codes.
- Consult a pro. If you have a French franc from before 1960 (the "Old Franc"), it might be worth a significant premium to a collector due to the redenomination that happened back then.
The world of the franc is a mix of high-stakes Swiss banking and colonial history. Whether you're holding a safe-haven asset or a piece of French history, you now know exactly what that paper is worth.