Catalog
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| Issuer | Republic of Benin |
|---|---|
| Year | 2010 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
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| Obverse description | The national coat of arms of the Republic of Benin occupies the central field, depicting a quartered shield supported by two leopards rampant. The upper quarters display a castle and a star respectively, while the lower quarters bear a palm tree and a sailing vessel. Above the shield rests a scroll and a traditional chief's cap, and below it a ribbon bearing the national motto in the exergue. The legend REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN curves along the upper periphery, with the denomination 1500 FRANCS CFA inscribed at the base of the field. |
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| Obverse lettering | REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN FRATERNITE JUSTICE TRAVAIL 1500 FRANCS CFA |
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| Additional information |
Benin's use of the CFA franc is itself a political artifact — the currency has been managed by the Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest since 1962 and remains pegged to the euro, a arrangement that periodically reignites debate about French monetary influence in West Africa. Commemorative gold issues denominated in CFA francs, produced largely for the collector market by European minting houses, have little connection to circulating currency in the region.
This piece was struck by the Monnaie de Paris under licensing arrangements common to many small-nation commemorative programs of the 2000s.