50 Francs CFA Sea Turtle

The BCEAO's bimetallic franc CFA series, introduced in the 1990s, replaced older single-metal issues as the monetary union sought greater counterfeit resistance across its eight member states — Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. The sea turtle reverse is part of a broader wildlife-themed circulation program that distinguishes denominations by species rather than numerals alone, a practical concession to high illiteracy rates across the zone.

Guinea-Bissau joined the CFA franc zone only in 1997, making it the newest member and the only former Portuguese colony in the union.