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500 Francs CFA Essai
| Issuer | Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale |
|---|---|
| Year | 1985 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | 2 mm |
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| Obverse description | Central field features a detailed naturalistic composition of tropical foliage and cocoa pods, rendered in high relief against a smooth field. The denomination '500 FRANCS' is prominently displayed in large numerals at the upper centre of the design. The legend 'REPUBLIQUE POPULAIRE DU CONGO' arcs along the upper border within an octagonal inner frame. The date '1985' appears in the lower exergue, flanked by small decorative floral ornaments. The entire design is contained within a raised octagonal inner border set against the round flan. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
The Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale, established in 1972 to serve the six-nation CEMAC monetary zone, issued essais as controlled test strikes submitted for official approval before authorizing full production runs. This 1985 piece belongs to that institutional process — not a collector product, but a functional document in metal. Surviving examples reached the market primarily through the French coin trade, which maintained close commercial ties with francophone African monetary authorities throughout this period.