500 Francs

The Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale operated as the common central bank for six member states of the BEAC zone, each distinguished by a letter code — "C" on notes for the Central African Republic. This pooled arrangement meant the same printed sheet served multiple sovereigns simultaneously, with the country identifier being the principal differentiating element between otherwise identical notes in the series.

Oye Mba served as Governor of the BEAC from 1978 to 1990, a tenure that spanned some of the most turbulent years of the CFA franc's managed relationship with the French Treasury — the peg held, but under considerable strain. The devaluation that finally came in January 1994 was already in discussion long before this note's issue window closed.