See full images — free registration
Continue with Google — it's free or register with email

1 Franc

Issuer Banque Nationale du Rwanda
Year 1969
Type Log in to see details
Value Log in to see details
Currency Log in to see details
Composition Log in to see details
Weight Log in to see details
Diameter Log in to see details
Thickness Log in to see details
Shape Log in to see details
Technique Milled
Orientation Log in to see details
Engraver(s) Log in to see details
In circulation to Log in to see details
Reference(s) Log in to see details
Obverse description Central field features the coat of arms of Rwanda, comprising a shield charged with crossed tools and a sun, surmounted by a bird with spread wings, flanked by two diagonal bundles of spears. The legend 'REPUBLIQUE RWANDAISE' and the motto 'LIBERTE · COOPERATION · PROGRES' appear on the shield. The denomination numeral '1' is displayed prominently above the arms, with the curved legend 'UN · FRANC' arching across the upper field.
Obverse script Log in to see details
Obverse lettering Log in to see details
Reverse description Log in to see details
Reverse script Log in to see details
Reverse lettering Log in to see details
Edge Plain
Mint Log in to see details
Mintage Log in to see details
Additional information

Rwanda's first post-independence coinage series was issued in 1969, just seven years after the country separated from the Belgian-administered UN Trust Territory of Ruanda-Urundi. The Banque Nationale du Rwanda had only been established in 1964, and this aluminium franc was among the earliest pieces struck under its authority.

Aluminium was chosen largely for economic practicality — the denomination had negligible purchasing power, and striking in a cheaper metal kept production costs below face value.