2000 Francs Diamond mining

The Bank of Central African States — the BEAC — serves six member nations whose combined territory contains some of the world's most significant alluvial diamond deposits, particularly in the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo's border regions. This issue belongs to a broader BEAC commemorative program that has leaned heavily on natural resource themes, reflecting the economic weight those industries carry in member-state politics and international negotiations.

The white topaz insert substitutes for actual diamond material — a practical and legal workaround that has become common in this format of coin. Topaz and diamond share few physical properties beyond transparency.