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25 Francs
| Issuer | Banque de l'Afrique Occidentale |
|---|---|
| Year | 1933-1939 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Obverse description | Central vignette of a young turbaned man in traditional robes, rendered in intaglio, with the head of a bridled horse to his left; a decorative octagonal underprint cartouche occupies the right portion of the note. The denomination numeral 25 appears in the upper corners, with the title VINGT CINQ FRANCS in large letterpress across the upper field, and the issuer's name BANQUE DE L'AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE along the lower border. Two manuscript signatures appear at upper right above the printed titles LE PRÉSIDENT and LE DIRECTEUR GÉNÉRAL, with the date and serial number printed in the centre field. |
|---|---|
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| Protection type | Watermark |
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| Comments |
The Banque de l'Afrique Occidentale operated as the privileged note-issuing institution across French West Africa from 1901, its concession repeatedly renewed despite periodic pressure from colonial administrators who resented the bank's private, Paris-based shareholders controlling currency across an enormous territory. This note falls within the years France was tightening economic integration of its West African colonies while simultaneously managing Depression-era monetary pressures at home.
Deloche and Hourriez were both Banque de France workshop engravers, which explains the technical quality — the BAO regularly contracted Banque de France's printing establishment rather than the commercial houses used by many colonial issuers. Laurent's design credit is comparatively rare to find documented for this series.