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500 Francs CFA Vreneli
| Issuer | Benin (1975-date) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1997 |
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| Currency | CFA Franc (1945-date) |
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| Obverse description | The national coat of arms of Benin occupies the central field, featuring a shield surmounted by a star and flanked by two rampant lions serving as supporters. The crest above the shield incorporates stylized horns. The circular legend 'REPUBLIQUE DU BENIN' arcs along the upper periphery, while the denomination '500 FRANCS CFA' is inscribed below the arms. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A negative (incuse) rendering of the Swiss Vreneli gold coin design is depicted, with the obverse and reverse of the original coin shown in superimposed half-sections, creating a distinctive composite effect. The design commemorates the centenary of the Vreneli, Switzerland's iconic 20-franc gold coin first issued in 1897. The commemorative inscription 'CENTENAIRE SUISSE DU VRENELI' arcs along the upper field, with the dual dates '1897/1997' placed in the lower exergue. |
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| Additional information |
The Vreneli is a Swiss gold franc series struck from 1897 to 1949, depicting a female head representing Helvetia — a design so beloved domestically that it has been widely co-opted for foreign collector issues. Benin, operating through the Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, began licensing its name to European bullion and commemorative producers in the 1990s, resulting in a flood of silver and gold pieces with no plausible circulation history in West Africa.
This piece is essentially a Swiss numismatic tribute coin issued under Beninese authority for the European collector market. It was never intended to pass through a Cotonou market stall.