500 Francs Independence, essai

Niger's independence from France was declared on August 3, 1960, and this essai was produced as part of the standard French practice of striking trial pieces for newly sovereign Francophone African states — most of which were handled administratively through Paris well into the following decade. Essais of this series were struck in limited numbers for official approval and collector distribution, never entering circulation.

The 500-franc denomination was ambitious for a nation whose monetary infrastructure remained tied to the CFA franc zone from day one of independence.