| 裏面の説明 |
A centrally placed antelope (gazelle) shown in full-face view, its long curved horns rising symmetrically and framing the head in an elegant, stylized composition. Stalks of grain or millet flank the gazelle on either side, evoking the agricultural and natural wealth of the West African region. The design is rendered in fine detail with careful attention to the animal's musculature and facial features. The engravers' signatures 'G.B.L.BAZOR' appear in the lower field alongside the date '1960'. The reverse presents a dignified and naturalistic composition characteristic of Lucien Bazor's medallic artistry. |
The BCEAO was established in 1959 to serve the newly independent Francophone West African states, and the 1960 essai issues were produced as trial strikes to validate coin designs and metallurgy ahead of full circulation production. Essais from this founding series were struck in extremely limited numbers, primarily for archival, governmental, and collector distribution — never intended to reach commerce.
KM#E2 is among the earliest pieces attributable to the independent monetary authority, predating the first general circulation strikes by a matter of months.