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500 Francs CFA Monetary Union
| Issuer | Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1972 |
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| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | CFA franc (1958-date) |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The central field displays the bold denomination '500 FRANCS' with the date '1972' below, surrounded by seven heraldic shields bearing the national coats of arms of the member states of the West African Monetary Union, each shield overlaid with the repeated inscription 'UNION MONÉTAIRE.' The names of the seven member states — HAUTE-VOLTA, MAURITANIE, NIGER, SENEGAL, TOGO, COTE D'IVOIRE, and DAHOMEY — are arranged around the periphery in correspondence with their respective arms. The outer border repeats the same incised geometric triangular and chevron pattern seen on the obverse, giving the coin a unified decorative framework. |
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| Mintage | 1972 - - 100,000 |
| Additional information |
The BCEAO was established in 1962 as the central bank for the West African Monetary Union, itself a direct continuation of the franc des colonies françaises d'Afrique system France had maintained since 1945. This 1972 issue falls within the early period of the union's formal consolidation — Mauritania had just withdrawn in 1973, and Togo would join the reconstituted UEMOA years later. Silver commemorative issues from the BCEAO in this period were produced primarily for collector markets, not circulation, with actual day-to-day transactions conducted in the aluminum-bronze 500-franc pieces.