Catalog
5000 Francs CFA Monetary Union, Essai
| Issuer | Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1982 |
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| Thickness | 2 mm |
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| Obverse description | Central field features a stylized West African ceremonial mask rendered in high relief, displaying an elongated oval face with incised geometric detailing and flanking wing-like decorative elements. To the left of the mask, the commemorative dates '1 NOVEMBRE 1962' and '1 NOVEMBRE 1982' are inscribed in the field, marking the twentieth anniversary of the BCEAO. The word 'ESSAI' appears vertically to the right of the mask in the field, denoting the trial strike status of this piece. The circumferential legend 'BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST' runs along the upper periphery, separated from the inner field by a decorative border of incised triangular motifs. The engraver's monogram 'RL' (Raymond Joly) appears at the base of the design. |
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| Reverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
Essai pieces struck for the BCEAO in this period were produced by the Paris Mint as pattern submissions and presentation pieces, not for circulation — the West African franc zone never issued gold coinage for everyday use. The 1982 date places this during a period of significant monetary stress across the CFA zone, when falling commodity prices were squeezing member states heavily dependent on cocoa, groundnut, and phosphate exports.
Surviving examples almost always appear in original sealed packaging, which explains the consistently pristine surfaces encountered across the market.