10 Francs CFA FAO, Essai

Issuer	Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO)
Year	1981
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Value	10 Francs CFA
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Obverse description	Central to the obverse is the large denomination numeral '10' with a stylized fish superimposed vertically between the digits, a design element characteristic of the West African States coinage series referencing regional fauna. The curved legend 'BANQUE CENTRALE' arcs across the upper field, while 'ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST' follows the lower periphery. The word 'FRANCS' appears beneath the central device, and the essai designation 'ESSAI' is inscribed in small letters below 'FRANCS' in the lower field. Small decorative symbols flank the central motif at left and right.
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Reverse description	The reverse presents a finely detailed scene illustrating rural water access, consistent with the FAO theme of the issue. Three figures — two women and a child — are depicted at a hand-operated water pump, with clay pots and vessels arranged at the base of the pump. The woman at left holds a rope attached to the pump handle, the child stands centrally, and a second woman at right bears a vessel on her head, with a landscape of trees suggested in the background. The date '1981' is inscribed along the lower exergue in bold numerals. The composition is rendered in a realistic, engraved pictorial style occupying nearly the entire field.
Reverse script	Latin
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