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30 000 Francs CFA

Issuer Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO)
Year 1992
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Value 30 000 Francs CFA (30 000)
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Reverse description A stylized relief map of the African continent positioned to the left of center, set against a radiant sunburst emanating from the right side of the field, with bold rays extending across the entire reverse in a dramatic composition symbolizing democratic renewal. The legend 'REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN' arcs along the upper periphery, while the inscription 'RENOUVEAU DEMOCRATIQUE' is prominently displayed across the lower field. Two small five-pointed stars flank the design as decorative separators within the legend.
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Edge Reeded.
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Additional information

The BCEAO issues commemorative gold almost exclusively for export — these pieces were never intended to circulate within the West African franc zone and were largely sold through European coin dealers in the early 1990s. The 30,000 franc face value bore no practical relationship to the economic reality of member states, where per capita GDP in 1992 placed that figure well beyond a month's wages for most of the population.

The CFA franc itself was still pegged to the French franc at 50:1 at the time of striking — a rate that would be halved by devaluation just two years later in January 1994.