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1 Franc CFA Essai
| Issuer | Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1976 |
| Type | Coin pattern |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST ESSAI JPR (Translation: Central Bank of the West African States Trial) |
| Reverse description | Large bold numeral '1' occupies the central field, accompanied by the denomination FRANC inscribed to its right. The date 1976 appears below the denomination in large numerals. The legend UNION MONETAIRE OUEST-AFRICAINE curves along the upper and lower periphery, with two small map outlines of West African member states flanking the lower portion of the field. The engraver's signature JP. RÉTHORÉ is inscribed along the lower rim. |
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| Additional information |
The BCEAO's 1976 steel essais were internal test strikes produced as the bank evaluated material changes for its lowest denomination — aluminum had dominated the franc CFA coinage since the early postwar period, and steel was being assessed for durability against the heavy daily use these coins saw in West African markets. Most essais of this type were distributed only within banking and mint administrative channels, never reaching circulation.