1 Franc

Rwanda's first post-independence coinage series was issued in 1969, just seven years after the country separated from the Belgian-administered UN Trust Territory of Ruanda-Urundi. The Banque Nationale du Rwanda had only been established in 1964, and this aluminium franc was among the earliest pieces struck under its authority.

Aluminium was chosen largely for economic practicality — the denomination had negligible purchasing power, and striking in a cheaper metal kept production costs below face value.