What is the face value of a debenture?

The face value of a debenture, also known as its par value or principal amount, is the amount that the issuer agrees to pay the debenture holder at maturity. It is typically the original investment amount and is used to calculate interest payments, which are usually expressed as a percentage of the face value. For example, if a debenture has a face value of $1,000 and an interest rate of 5%, the holder would receive $50 in interest annually until maturity.