500 Francs

The BCEAO was formally constituted in 1959 as the successor institution to the BCAO, inheriting both the franc zone framework and much of the transitional administrative apparatus of late French West Africa. This note appeared at that exact hinge point — before the member states had fully individualized their monetary arrangements, and while Paris-appointed officials still shared signature duties alongside African appointees. The progression of signatories across this series quietly documents that handover: Robert Julienne holds the cashier position across every recorded signature combination, pairing first with French administrators and gradually with figures from the member states themselves.

Henri Konan Bédié later became President of Côte d'Ivoire. Edem Kodjo became Secretary-General of the OAU.