1000 Francs CFA S.S. Europa

The SS Europa was a German ocean liner launched in 1928 and briefly held the Blue Riband for the fastest Atlantic crossing in 1930. After World War II she was seized by the United States, renamed SS Liberté, and transferred to the French Line — which makes her appearance on a BEAC issue somewhat ironic, given France's deep administrative ties to the franc zone countries that back this currency.

BEAC collector issues of the late 1990s were produced almost entirely for the numismatic export market, with negligible circulation in member states.