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50 Francs Independence, essai
| Issuer | République du Niger |
|---|---|
| Year | 1960 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 16 g |
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| Obverse description | Central device depicts the national coat of arms of Niger, comprising a heraldic shield charged with a sun above a zebu head, flanked by two crossed national flags bearing the tricolor design and surmounted by crossed spears. A ribbon below the shield bears the legend REPUBLIQUE DU NIGER. The word INDEPENDANCE arches prominently across the upper field, while ESSAI appears at the lower left. The denomination 50 FRS is inscribed in the lower center, with the independence date 3 AOUT 1960 in large characters across the lower field. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | INDEPENDANCE REPUBLIQUE DU NIGER 50 FRS ESSAI 3 AOUT 1960 |
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| Additional information |
Niger's independence from France was proclaimed on August 3, 1960, and this essai was struck to mark the occasion — a proof-of-concept piece produced in small quantities, as was standard French practice for newly independent franc-zone states transitioning to sovereign coinage. The Paris Mint handled production, as it did for virtually all former AOF territories at the moment of independence.
Essais of this type were never released for circulation and exist almost exclusively in institutional and specialist collections.