500 Francs

The BCEAO was established in 1959 as the monetary authority for the newly independent franc zone states of West Africa, replacing the older BCEAN structure that had served French colonial interests. This note sits at that precise institutional hinge point — the 1959 signature combination reflects the transitional governance, with French officials still occupying senior positions alongside African counterparts. The progression of left-hand signatures across the series is worth attention: by 1965, figures like Tiémoko Marc Garango of Upper Volta had taken those roles entirely.

Robert Julienne's persistence as right-hand signatory across the full run suggests he held a fixed technical or treasury post throughout the period, an unusual continuity given how rapidly political appointments shifted in the region.