Catalog
1500 Francs CFA Samurai
| Issuer | Burkina Faso |
|---|---|
| Year | 2017 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Technique | Milled |
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|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A dynamic high-relief depiction of a mounted samurai warrior in full traditional armour, including an ornate kabuto helmet with prominent kuwagata crest, charging at speed on horseback toward the left of the field. The warrior's facial features are rendered in fine detail, and his armour displays intricate lacing and decorative elements characteristic of feudal Japanese martial dress. A traditional Japanese pagoda with multi-tiered roofline is visible in the upper right background, set against stylised bamboo stalks suggesting a Japanese landscape. The legend 'SAMURAI' arcs along the upper border, accompanied by a Japanese kanji character (侍) below it. The date '2017' appears in the lower left field and the purity and weight designation '2oz Ag .999' is inscribed along the lower right exergue. |
| Reverse script | Latin/Chinese |
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| Additional information |
Burkina Faso has issued coins through the Monnaie de Paris and various private minting houses under licensing arrangements that have little to do with domestic monetary policy — the 1500 Francs CFA denomination exists almost exclusively for the collector market, never intended to circulate. This piece is part of a broader wave of African-issued numismatic exotica produced in the 2010s, where sovereign issuing rights were essentially leased to European and Asian bullion dealers seeking legal tender backing for themed silver rounds.
KM#141 in the Burkina Faso sequence reflects how thin the line became between a national mint program and a commercial product with a flag attached.