Catalog
| Obverse description | Value inside a circle, offset to the bottom, made by the `OUEST AFRICAIN FRANÇAIS` and `1883` lettering. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
OUEST AFRICAIN FRANÇAIS 5 1883 (Translation: French African West.) |
| Reverse description | Same as obverse. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
OUEST AFRICAIN FRANÇAIS 5 1883 (Translation: French African West.) |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1883 - - |
| Numisquare ID | 7846368050 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 1883 5 Units coin for French West Africa reflects the Third French Republic's (1870-1940) vigorous colonial expansion. This period saw the consolidation of the Afrique Occidentale Française (AOF). The "Units" currency, distinct from the metropolitan franc, represents an early, localized attempt to establish a monetary system within the nascent colonial economy. This facilitated trade and administration, underscoring France's assertion of economic control in its West African territories.
Artistry: As a small, base-metal issue, the 5 Units coin likely adheres to a functional, academic style typical of late 19th-century French colonial coinage,