Catalog
5 Francs Essai
| Issuer | Banque de la République du Burundi |
|---|---|
| Year | 1968 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 5 Francs |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Central field features a wreath of oak branches framing a star arrangement of five six-pointed stars in a circular pattern. The bilingual legend encircles the design in two concentric bands: the outer band reads IBANKI YA REPUBLIKA Y'UBURUNDI in Kirundi, and the inner band reads the motto UBUMWE-IBIKORWA-AMAJAMBERE (Unity, Work, Progress) alongside the French equivalent UNITE-TRAVAIL-PROGRES. The date 1968 appears in the lower exergue beneath the wreath. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Central field displays the large numeral '5' above the denomination inscriptions FRANCS and AMAFRANGA, all enclosed within a wreath of two olive or laurel branches tied at the base. The circular legend BANQUE DE LA REPUBLIQUE DU BURUNDI runs along the outer periphery. Below the wreath, the mint mark or issuer monogram BRB appears in stylized form, flanked by the word ESSAI denoting the pattern or trial status of the piece. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Essai strikes for Burundi's post-independence coinage were produced in Paris, where the Monnaie de Paris held longstanding contracts with numerous newly sovereign francophone African states through the 1960s. Burundi had only separated from Rwanda in 1962 following the dissolution of Ruanda-Urundi under Belgian trusteeship, and establishing a functioning monetary system was among the earliest institutional priorities. This particular essai in aluminium represents a trial that never advanced to circulation — the 5 francs denomination in this metal and format was not adopted for general issue.