5000 Francs CFA Sikhote-Alin meteorite

The Sikhote-Alin fall occurred on 12 February 1947 in the Primorsky Krai region of the Soviet Far East — one of the largest witnessed iron meteorite falls in recorded history, scattering roughly 23 tonnes of material across a 1.3 square kilometer strewn field. Chad's use of it here follows a well-worn path: the country has functioned as a prolific issuer of novelty bullion under the CFA franc designation for years, with coins of this type rarely if ever circulating in Chad itself. They are collector products, produced under license and marketed internationally.

Fragments of the actual Sikhote-Alin meteorite are frequently inlaid into coins of this type, making material authenticity the central question for any buyer.