The Compagnie des Chemins de Fer du Nord, founded by ordinance of 20 September 1845, was one of the six great French railway companies of the 19th century, closely linked to the Rothschilds. It served Paris, Picardy, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and linked France to Belgium. This legendary company was nationalized in 1938 with the creation of the SNCF.

This Bond of 500 Francs / Bond of 500 Francs bearing interest of 15 francs per year, bilingual French-English (intended for the London financial market and the City), is numbered 1,761,905 and dated 12 January 1874. Printed in a soft pink-orange shade, decorative border with Belle Époque floral motifs, an ornamental vignette at the top. Three original directors' signatures (Mayer, Rothschild or another — to be verified). A document of strong historical interest with its dual wording aimed at Anglo-Saxon investors. Fair condition with some folds, excellent legibility. A classic yet still sought-after piece of French railway scripophily from the Second Empire / early Third Republic.