Catalog
500 Francs CFA Monetary Union
| Issuer | Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1972 |
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| Technique | Milled |
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| Obverse description | Central design features the stylized emblem of the Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, depicting a highly abstracted African mask rendered in a modernist idiom, with geometric facial features and decorative striped motifs flanking the central figure. The commemorative dates '1 NOVEMBRE 1962' and '1 NOVEMBRE 1972' appear in the left field, marking the tenth anniversary of the bank's founding. A circular legend reading 'BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST' runs along the upper periphery, while a border of incised triangular and chevron motifs frames the entire design. The engraver's initials 'RJ' for Raymond Joly appear at the base of the central device. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The central field displays the bold denomination '500 FRANCS' with the date '1972' below, surrounded by seven heraldic shields bearing the national coats of arms of the member states of the West African Monetary Union, each shield overlaid with the repeated inscription 'UNION MONÉTAIRE.' The names of the seven member states — HAUTE-VOLTA, MAURITANIE, NIGER, SENEGAL, TOGO, COTE D'IVOIRE, and DAHOMEY — are arranged around the periphery in correspondence with their respective arms. The outer border repeats the same incised geometric triangular and chevron pattern seen on the obverse, giving the coin a unified decorative framework. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
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