1. The value of a security that is set by the company issuing it; unrelated to market value
   "The bond had a face value of $1,000, regardless of its trading price";
   - par value, nominal value
    
2. The apparent worth as opposed to the real worth
   "He took the compliment at face value, not realizing it was insincere"

Derived forms: face values

Type of: color [US], colour [Brit, Cdn], gloss, merit, semblance, value, worth

Encyclopedia: Face value