French West African State Coins

West African States (BCEAO)

The West African CFA franc (French: franc CFA; Portuguese: franco CFA or simply franc, ISO 4217 code: XOF) is the currency of eight independent states in West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
The acronym CFA stands for Communauté Financière d'Afrique (Financial Community of Africa) or Communauté Financière Africaine (African Financial Community). The currency is issued by the BCEAO [Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (Central Bank of the West African States)], located in Dakar, Senegal, for the members of the UEMOA [Union Économique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine (West African Economic and Monetary Union)]. The franc is nominally subdivided into 100 centimes but no centime denominations have been issued.

               16 Jun 1895 French West Africa (Dahomey, French Guinea, French Sudan,
                            Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Upper Volta).
               28 Sep 1958 Independence referendum held in Guinea.
               02 Oct 1958 Independence of Republic of Guinea (Guinée) from France.
               10 Feb 1959 Guinea leaves West CFA Francs and adopts Guinée Franc.
               04 Apr 1959 Senegal becomes part of Mali Federation.
               27 Apr 1960 Independence of Togolese Republic (Togo) from France.
               20 Jun 1960 Independence of Mali Federation from France.
               01 Aug 1960 Independence of Dahomey (Benin) from France.
               03 Aug 1960 Independence of Niger from France.
               05 Aug 1960 Independence of Upper Volta (Burkina Faso) from France.
               07 Aug 1960 Independence of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) from France.
               20 Aug 1960 Republic of Senegal withdraws from Mali Federation.
               22 Sep 1960 Sudanese Republic becomes Republic of Mali.
               28 Nov 1960 Independence of Islamic Republic of Mauritania from France.
               02 Jul 1962 Mali leaves West CFA Francs and adopts Mali Franc.
               29 Jun 1973 Mauritania leaves West CFA Francs and adopts Ouguiya.
               24 Sep 1973 Independence proclaimed (Republic of Guinea-Bissau).
               10 Sep 1974 Independence of Guinea-Bissau recognized by Portugal.
               02 May 1997 Guinea-Bissau adopted the West CFA franc.
               31 May 1984 Mali readopts West CFA Francs.

Guinea was ruled by France until 02 Oct 1958. It became independent from France following its voters' rejection of Charles de Gaulle's Constitution of 1958. At the time French Guinea was the only colony to reject the new constitution. French Guinea became the modern-day country of Guinea, keeping French as its official language. The first Guinean franc was introduced in 1959 to replace the CFA franc. In 1971, the Guinean franc was replaced by syli at a rate of 1 syli = 10 francs. The Guinean franc was reintroduced as Guinea's currency in 1985, at par with the syli. As of 23 October 2018, 1 Euro is equal to 10,417.46 Guinean Francs, which means that the highest valued banknote, of 20,000 Francs, has a value of less than 2 Euros.

The Bank BCEAO [Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest] is active in developing financial inclusion policy and is a member of the Alliance for Financial Inclusion. Its predecessor, the Institut d’Emission de l’Afrique Occidentale Française et du Togo, was created in 1955 and was transformed into BCEAO in 1959. The treaty establishing the West African Monetary Union (UMOA), signed on May 12, 1962, gave BCEAO the exclusive right to issue the currency as the common central bank for the then seven member countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Dahomey (modern day Benin), Haute-Volta (Upper Volta and now modern day Burkina Faso), Mali, Togo, Niger and Senegal.

The Central African CFA franc is of equal value to the West African CFA franc, and is in circulation in several central African states. They are both called the CFA franc. Pegged with euro = CFA 655,957.
The CFA franc was introduced to the French colonies in West Africa on 26 December 1945, replacing the French West African franc. The West African CFA franc (French: franc CFA; Portuguese: franco CFA or simply franc, ISO 4217 code: XOF) was introduced. From 1946 to 1958, the acronym CFA Franc was known as "Franc des Colonies Françaises d'Afrique". In 1958 it became "Communauté Française d'Afrique" and from 1962 as "Communauté Financière d'Afrique" (Financial Community of Africa) or "Communauté Financière Africaine" (African Financial Community). The West African colonies and territories using the CFA franc were Ivory Coast, Dahomey (now Benin), French Sudan (now Mali), Mauritania, Niger, Sénégal, Togo and Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso). The currency continued in use when these colonies gained their independence, except in Mali (formerly French Sudan), which replaced at par the CFA franc with its own franc in 1961.
In 1973, Mauritania replaced the CFA franc with the ouguiya at a rate of 1 ouguiya = 5 CFA francs. Mali readopted the CFA franc in 1984, at a rate of 1 CFA franc = 2 Malian francs. The former Portuguese colony of Guinea-Bissau adopted the CFA franc in 1997, replacing the Guinea-Bissau peso at a rate of 1 CFA franc = 65 pesos.

CFA Franc pegging:

26 December 1945: CFA Franc = 1.70 French Francs.
17 December 1948: CFA Franc = 2 French Francs.
01 January 1959: 50 CFA Francs = (New) French Franc.
12 January 1994: 100 CFA Francs = French Franc.
01 January 1999: 655.957 CFA Franc = Euro.

In 1948, aluminum 1 and 2 franc coins were introduced. These were followed in 1956 by aluminium-bronze 5, 10 and 25 francs. All carried the name Afrique Occidentale Française. In 1957, 10 and 25 franc coins were issued with the name of Togo added. From 1959, coins have been issued by the BCEAO.
Nickel 100-franc coins were introduced in 1967, followed by the cupro-nickel 50 franc coins in 1972. Small, steel 1 franc coins were introduced in 1976 (struck until 1996), followed by bimetallic 250 francs in 1992 (struck until 1996). In 2003, bimetallic 200 and 500-franc coins were introduced.

French Chief engravers (Graveurs généraux): The functions of the Graveur général of the Mint of France was instituted by Henry III involves the production and the delivery of all the dies used in the mints of the French state.

Lucien Bazor, 1931-1958, wing (aile).
Raymond Joly, 1958-1974, owl (chouette).
Emile Rousseau, 1974-1994, dolphin (dauphin).
Pierre Rodier, 1994 - 2000, bee (abeille).
Gérard Burqoy, 2001 - 2002, horseshoe (fer à cheval).
Serge Levet, 2003, Heart with L.S. (coeur avec L.S.).
Hubert Larivière, 2004-2011, Horn with waves and fish (cor avec vagues).
Yves Sampo, 2011-date: pentagon (floret).

French West Africa

1944

	KM#2 / Schön#2 Franc. Year: 1944. Weight: 3.97g [4.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: London. Obverse: “AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANÇAISE” (French West Africa) written in two lines on the top. Value "1 FRANC" in the center. Cornucopia (or horn of plenty, overflowing with produce, flowers or nuts) on both sides.
Reverse: Marianne's head facing left wearing a phrygian cap decorated with a composite wreath made of olive tree leaves, oak and wheat. "REPVBLIQVE" (Republic) written clockwise at the left side and "FRANÇAISE" (French) written clockwise at the right side. Mintage: 15,000,000 + N/A Proof. Minted Years: One year type. Engraver: Pierre-Alexandre Morlon.

1948

	KM#3 / Schön#3 Franc. Year: 1948. Weight: 1.33g [1.30g]. Metal: Aluminum. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: wing).
Obverse: Marianne's head, facing left, wearing a winged Phrygian cap. "REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE UNION FRANÇAISE" (French Republic French Union) written around Marianne's head. Four ships in the background. Engraver initials "L.BAZOR" written at bottom left side and "GB" at bottom right side. Date below exergue line, followed by privy mark on both sides. Reverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 10 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center divides Value (denomination) "1 F.". Stalks of maize crops in the background. "AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANÇAISE" (French West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 30,110,000. Minted Years: 1948 and 1955. Engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor. Note: ESSAI (pattern) type exists as KM#E1 in Copper-Nickel, weight: 4.85 grams with mintage: 2,000.
	KM#4 / Schön#4 2 Francs. Year: 1948. Weight: 2.21g [2.20g]. Metal: Aluminum. Diameter: 27.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: wing).
Obverse: Marianne's head, facing left, wearing a winged Phrygian cap. "REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE UNION FRANÇAISE" (French Republic French Union) written around Marianne's head. Four ships in the background. Engraver initials "L.BAZOR" written at bottom left side and "GB" at bottom right side. Date below exergue line, followed by privy mark on both sides. Reverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 10 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center divides Value (denomination) "2 F.". Stalks of maize crops in the background. "AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANÇAISE" (French West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 12,665,000. Minted Years: 1948 and 1955. Engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor. Note: ESSAI (pattern) type exists as KM#E2 in Copper-Nickel, weight: 10.70 grams with mintage: 2,000.

1955

Same as above KM#3 Franc, but...

Year: 1955. Weight: 1.31 [1.30g]. Mintage: 5,200,000.

Note: 2 Francs 1955 mintage: 1,400,000.

1956

	KM#5 / Schön#5 5 Francs. Year: 1956. Weight: 2.92g [3.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 20.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: cornucopia).
Obverse: Marianne's head, facing left, wearing a winged Phrygian cap in the center. G.B.L. Bazor signature on the collar. Date and mint marks separated on both sides at top section. "REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE UNION FRANÇAISE" (French Republic French Union) written at the bottom section. Reverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 10 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center divides Value (denomination) "5 F.". Stalks of maize crops in the background. "AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANÇAISE" (French West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 85,000,000. Minted Years: One year type. Engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor. Note: ESSAI (pattern) type exists as KM#E3 with mintage: 2,300.
	KM#6 / Schön#6 10 Francs. Year: 1956. Weight: 3.94g [4.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 23.50 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: cornucopia).
Obverse: Marianne's head, facing left, wearing a winged Phrygian cap in the center. G.B.L. Bazor signature on the collar. Date and mint marks separated on both sides at top section. "REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE UNION FRANÇAISE" (French Republic French Union) written at the bottom section. Reverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 9 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center divides Value (denomination) "10 Fs". Stalks of maize crops in the background. "AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANÇAISE" (French West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 20,000,000. Minted Years: One year type. Engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor. Note: ESSAI (pattern) type exists as KM#E4 with mintage: 2,300.
	KM#7 / Schön#7 10 Francs. Year: 1956. Weight: 7.97g [8.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 27.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: cornucopia).
Obverse: Marianne's head, facing left, wearing a winged Phrygian cap in the center. G.B.L. Bazor signature on the collar. Date and mint marks separated on both sides at top section. "REPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE UNION FRANÇAISE" (French Republic French Union) written at the bottom section. Reverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 9 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center divides Value (denomination) "25 Fs". Stalks of maize crops in the background. "AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANÇAISE" (French West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 37,877,000. Minted Years: One year type. Engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor. Note: ESSAI (pattern) type exists as KM#E5 with mintage: 2,300.

1957

	KM#8 / Schön#8 10 Francs. Year: 1957. Weight: 3.93g [4.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 23.50 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: wing).
Obverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 12 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center. Stalks of maize crops in the background. Date at the bottom section. Four peanut shells each on bottom left and bottom right sides. Reverse: "INSTITUT D'EMISSION" (Emission Institute) written at the top with mintmarks at below right side. "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity divides the number "10" and "FRANCS" written below it. "AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANÇAISE·TOGO" (French West Africa Togo) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 30,000,000. Minted Years: One year type. Engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor. Note: ESSAI (pattern) type exists as KM#E6 with mintage: N/A. Only 10 and 25 Francs were simultaneously issued for circulation in French West Africa and Togo. Hence, George S. Cuhaj (Krause Publications) has given distinct numbering, KM#8 for French West Africa and KM#A8 for Togo for the same coin. Reason for this is because Togo became an autonomous republic within French union.
	KM#9 / Schön#9 25 Francs. Year: 1957. Weight: 7.99g [8.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 27.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: wing).
Obverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 12 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center. Stalks of maize crops in the background. Date at the bottom section. Four peanut shells each on bottom left and bottom right sides. Reverse: "INSTITUT D'EMISSION" (Emission Institute) written at the top with mintmarks at below right side. "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity divides the number "25" and "FRANCS" written below it. "AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE FRANÇAISE·TOGO" (French West Africa Togo) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 30,000,000. Minted Years: One year type. Engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor. Note: ESSAI (pattern) type exists as KM#E7 with mintage: N/A. Only 10 and 25 Francs were simultaneously issued for circulation in French West Africa and Togo. Hence, George S. Cuhaj (Krause Publications) has given distinct numbering, KM#9 for French West Africa and KM#A9 for Togo for the same coin. Reason for this is because Togo became an autonomous republic within French union.

West African States

1959

KM#1 / Schön#12 10 Francs. Year: 1959. Weight: 3.88g [4.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).

Obverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 12 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center. Stalks of maize crops in the background. Date at the bottom section. Four peanut shells each on bottom left and bottom right sides. Reverse: "BANQUE CENTRALE" (Central Bank) written at the top. "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity divides the number "10" and "FRANCS" written below it in the center. Mintmark on left and right sides. "ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (States of the West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 10,000,000. Minted Years: 1959 and 1964. Engravers: Lucien Georges Bazor / Gabriel Bernard.

1960

KM#2 / Schön#11 5 Francs. Year: 1960. Weight: 2.98g [3.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 19.50 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).

Obverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 12 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center. Stalks of maize crops in the background. Date at the bottom section. Four peanut shells each on bottom left and bottom right sides. Reverse: "BANQUE CENTRALE" (Central Bank) written at the top. "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity divides the number "5F." in the center. Mintmark on left and right sides. "ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (States of the West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 5,000,000. Minted Years: One year type. Engravers: Gabriel Bernard / Lucien Georges Bazor.

1961

KM#3.1 / Schön#10 Franc. Year: 1961. Weight: 1.32g [1.30g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).

Type1: Without engraver's name on the Obverse side.

Obverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 12 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center. Stalks of maize crops in the background. Date at the bottom section. Four peanut shells each on bottom left and bottom right sides. Reverse: "BANQUE CENTRALE" (Central Bank) written at the top. "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity divides the number "1F." in the center. Mintmark on left and right sides. "ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (States of the West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 3,000,000. Minted Years: 1961, 1964, 1965, 1967 and 1971-1975 (owl mintmark from 1961-1974 and dolphin on 1975). Engravers: Gabriel Bernard / Lucien Georges Bazor.

1963

KM#3.2 / Schön#10a Franc. Year: 1963. Weight: 1.31g [1.30g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).

Type2: With engraver's name on the Obverse side.

Obverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 12 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center. Stalks of maize crops in the background. Date at the bottom section. Four peanut shells each on bottom left and bottom right sides. Engraver's name "G.B.L.BAZOR" written above peanuts on left side. Reverse: "BANQUE CENTRALE" (Central Bank) written at the top. "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity divides the number "1F." in the center. Mintmark on left and right sides. "ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (States of the West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 4,500,000. Minted Years: 1962-1963 (owl mintmark). Engravers: Gabriel Bernard / Lucien Georges Bazor.

1965

KM#2a / Schön#11a 5 Francs. Year: 1965. Weight: 3.04g [3.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Nickel-Bronze. Diameter: 19.50 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).

Obverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 12 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center. Stalks of maize crops in the background. Date at the bottom section. Four peanut shells each on bottom left and bottom right sides. Reverse: "BANQUE CENTRALE" (Central Bank) written at the top. "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity divides the number "5F." in the center. Mintmark on left and right sides. "ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (States of the West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 12,510,000. Minted Years: 1965, 1967-1982, 1984-1987, 1989-1997 and 1999-2017 (owl mintmark from 1965-1974, dolphin from 1975-1994, bee from 1995-1999, horseshoe from 2000-2002, heart in 2003, horn from 2004-2010 and floret from 2011-2017. 2016 issue also exists without mintmark). Engravers: Lucien Georges Bazor / Gabriel Bernard.

1967

	Same as above KM#2a 5 Francs, but... Year: 1967. Weight: 3.02 [3.00g]. Mintage: 6,510,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).
	KM#4 / Schön#15 100 Francs. Year: 1967. Weight: 6.81g [7.00g]. Metal: Nickel. Diameter: 26.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).
Obverse: Value "100 FRANCS" written in the center; surrounded by various plants. "UNION MONETAIRE OUEST-AFRICAINE" (West African Monetary Union) written in circular form starting from 7'o clock, near the border clockwise. Date at the bottom with mintmarks on both sides. Reverse: "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity in the center. "BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (Central Bank of States of the West Africa) written in circular form near the border starting from 7 o'clock clockwise. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: 1967-1982, 1984-1985, 1987, 1989-1992, 1996-1997, 2000-2007 and 2009 (owl mintmark from 1967-1974, dolphin from 1975-1992, bee from 1996-1997, horseshoe from 2000-2002, heart from 2003 and horn from 2004-2009). Engraver: Raymond Joly. Note: ESSAI (Pattern) as KM#E4 with mintage: 1,600, KM#E4a in silver with mintage: 100 and KM#E6b in Gold with mintage: 21.

1968

	KM#1a / Schön#12a 10 Francs. Year: 1968. Weight: 3.90g [4.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Nickel-Bronze. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).
Obverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 12 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center. Stalks of maize crops in the background. Date at the bottom section. Four peanut shells each on bottom left and bottom right sides. Reverse: "BANQUE CENTRALE" (Central Bank) written at the top. "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity divides the number "10" and "FRANCS" written below it in the center. Mintmark on left and right sides. "ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (States of the West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 6,000,000. Minted Years: 1966-1971 and 1973-1981 (owl mintmark from 1966-1974 and dolphin from 1975-1981). Engravers: Lucien Georges Bazor / Gabriel Bernard.
	Same as above KM#4 100 Francs, but... Year: 1968. Weight: 6.91 [7.00g]. Mintage: 25,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).

1969

	Same as above KM#1a 10 Francs, but... Year: 1969. Weight: 3.96 [4.00g]. Mintage: 7,000,000.
	Same as above KM#4 100 Francs, but... Year: 1969. Weight: 6.96 [7.00g]. Mintage: 25,000,000.

1970

	Same as above KM#2a 5 Francs, but... Year: 1970. Weight: 2.92 [3.00g]. Mintage: 10,005,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).
	KM#5 / Schön#13 25 Francs. Year: 1970. Weight: 7.96g [8.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 27.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).
Obverse: A linked sorghum (an agricultural food crop) with 12 bunches at the top. Leptoceros gazelle head facing straight in the center. Stalks of maize crops in the background. Date at the bottom section. Four peanut shells each on bottom left and bottom right sides. Reverse: "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity, divides the number "25" and "FRANCS" written below it, in the center. Mintmarks below "DE" at top right side. "BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (Central Bank of States of the West Africa) written in circular form near the border starting at 6 o'clock clockwise. Dot at the bottom. Mintage: 7,000,000. Minted Years: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1978 and 1979 (owl mintmark from 1970-1972 and dolphin from 1975-1979). Engravers: Lucien Georges Bazor / Gabriel Bernard.

1971

	Same as above KM#3.1 Franc, but... Year: 1971. Weight: 1.32 [1.30g]. Mintage: 8,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).
	Same as above KM#1a 10 Francs, but... Year: 1971. Weight: 3.86 [4.00g]. Mintage: 8,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).

1972

	KM#E6 50 Francs. Year: 1972. Weight: 5.00g [5.00g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 22.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl). Mintage: 1,750. Note: ESSAI (Pattern) issue of the below coin. "ESSAI" written on the right side of Taku (Sawfish) on Reverse side. KM#E6a were made in silver with mintage: 120 and KM#E6b in Gold with mintage: 17.
	KM#6 / Schön#14 50 Francs. Year: 1972. Weight: 4.98g [5.00g]. Metal: Copper-Nickel. Diameter: 22.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).
Obverse: Value "50 FRANCS" written in the center; surrounded by various plants. "UNION MONETAIRE OUEST-AFRICAINE" (West African Monetary Union) written in circular form starting from 7'o clock, near the border clockwise. Date at the bottom with mintmarks on both sides. Reverse: "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity in the center. "BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (Central Bank of States of the West Africa) written in circular form near the border starting from 7 o'clock clockwise. Mintage: 20,011,000. Minted Years: 1972, 1974-1976, 1978-1982, 1984, 1987, 1989-1993, 1995-1997, 1999-2007 and 2009-2014 (owl mintmark from 1972-1974, dolphin from 1975-1993, bee from 1995-1999, horseshoe from 2000-2002, heart from 2003, horn from 2004-2010 and pentagon from 2011-2014). Engraver: Raymond Joly.
	Same as above KM#5 25 Francs, but... Year: 1972. Weight: 8.00 [8.00g]. Mintage: 2,001,600. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).

1974

Same as above KM#1a 10 Francs, but...

Year: 1974. Weight: 4.03 [4.00g]. Mintage: 10,000,000. Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: owl).

1975

Same as above KM#4 100 Francs, but...

Year: 1975. Weight: 6.91 [7.00g]. Mintage: 16,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1976

	Same as above KM#2a 5 Francs, but... Year: 1976. Weight: 3.01 [3.00g]. Mintage: 20,010,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).
	Same as above KM#1a 10 Francs, but... Year: 1976. Weight: 4.03 [4.00g]. Mintage: 18,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).
	Same as above KM#5 25 Francs, but... Year: 1976. Weight: 8.07 [8.00g]. Mintage: 6,244,800. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).
	Same as above KM#4 100 Francs, but... Year: 1976. Weight: 7.00 [7.00g]. Mintage: 11,575,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1977

Same as above KM#2a 5 Francs, but...

Year: 1977. Weight: 2.92 [3.00g]. Mintage: 22,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1978

	KM#8 / Schön#17 Franc. Year: 1978. Weight: 1.67g [1.65g]. Metal: Steel. Diameter: 15.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).
Obverse: Value "1 FRANC" and Date in the center with mintmarks below it. "UNION MONETAIRE OUEST-AFRICAINE" (West African Monetary Union) written in circular form starting from 7'o clock, near the border clockwise. "JP. RĒTHORĒ" engraver's name written at the bottom. Reverse: "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity in the center. "BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (Central Bank of States of the West Africa) written in circular form near the border starting from 7 o'clock clockwise. "JPR" written at almost bottom left side. Mintage: 21,840,000. Minted Years: 1976-1982, 1984, 1990-1992, 1995-1997, 1999-2002 and 2011 (dolphin mintmark from 1976-1995, bee from 1996-1999, horseshoe from 2000-2002 and without mintmark and lighter version in 2011). Engraver: Jean-Pierre Réthoré.
	Same as above KM#6 50 Francs, but... Year: 1978. Weight: 4.79 [5.00g]. Mintage: 7,200,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1979

	Same as above KM#5 25 Francs, but... Year: 1979. Weight: 7.79 [8.00g]. Mintage: 5,203,200. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).
	Same as above KM#4 100 Francs, but... Year: 1979. Weight: 6.97 [7.00g]. Mintage: 12,400,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1980

Same as above KM#4 100 Francs, but...

Year: 1980. Weight: 6.92 [7.00g]. Mintage: 13,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1981

	Same as above KM#8 Franc, but... Year: 1981. Weight: 1.71 [1.65g]. Mintage: 2,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).
	KM#10 / Schön#18 10 Francs. Year: 1981. Weight: 4.01g [4.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Nickel-Bronze. Diameter: 23.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).
Obverse: Two women and a child near water pump with clay pots around. Date at the bottom. Reverse: "BANQUE CENTRALE" (Central Bank) written at the top. "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity divides the number "10" and "FRANCS" written below it. Mintmark on left and right sides. "ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (States of the West Africa) written at the bottom section. Mintage: 2,010,000. Minted Years: 1981-2017 (dolphin mintmark from 1981-1994, bee from 1995-1999, horseshoe from 2000-2002, heart in 2003, horn from 2004-2010 and floret from 2011-2017). Engravers: A.G.M.M. (Monogram of Atelier de Gravure des Monnaies et Médailles) [Obverse side] / Gabriel Bernard / Lucien Georges Bazor [Reverse side].
	Same as above KM#4 100 Francs, but... Year: 1981. Weight: 6.85 [7.00g]. Mintage: 8,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1982

KM#11 / Schön#20 5000 Francs. Year: 1982. Weight: 24.89g [24.95g]. Metal: 0.900 Silver. Diameter: 36.50 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin). Obverse: Six abstract birds on the center with each country's name: "BENIN NIGER COTE D'IVOIRE SENEGAL HAUTE VOLTA TOGO". Value "5000 FRANCS" below the abstract birds. "· RENFORCEMENT · DE · LA · SOLIDARITE · ET · DE · LA · COHESION · DE · L'UNION · MONETAIRE ·" (Reinforcement of the Solidarity and Cohesion of the Monetary Union) written in circular form, starting from 7 o'clock, near the border. Date at the bottom. Reverse: "BANQUE · CENTRALE" (Central Bank) written at the left side clockwise. "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity in the center. "1 NOVEMBRE 1962 1 NOVEMBRE 1982" written in 6 lines on the left side of Taku (Sawfish). "· DES · ETATS · DE · L'AFRIQUE · DE · L'OUEST ·" (Of States of the West Africa) written at the right side clockwise. Mintage: 20,000. Minted Years: One year type. Engraver: Raymond Joly. Commemorative: 20th Anniversary of the Monetary Union (1st November 1962 - 1st November 1982).

Note: ESSAI (pattern) type exists as KM#E13 with mintage: 1,700 and KM#12 / Schön#21 in 0.900 Gold with weight 14.49 and having diameter 26.00 mm (mintage: 32).

1984

	Same as above KM#2a 5 Francs, but... Year: 1984. Weight: 2.93 [3.00g]. Mintage: 31,620,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).
	Same as above KM#4 100 Francs, but... Year: 1984. Weight: 6.86 [7.00g]. Mintage: 2,500,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1987

Same as above KM#6 50 Francs, but...

Year: 1987. Weight: 4.94 [5.00g]. Mintage: 10,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1989

Same as above KM#10 10 Francs, but...

Year: 1989. Weight: 3.93 [4.00g]. Mintage: 40,500,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1990

Same as above KM#4 100 Francs, but...

Year: 1990. Weight: 6.92 [7.00g]. Mintage: 6,500,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1992

	Same as above KM#8 Franc, but... Year: 1992. Weight: 1.67 [1.65g]. Mintage: 6,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).
	Same as above KM#2a 5 Francs, but... Year: 1992. Weight: 3.01 [3.00g]. Mintage: 9,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: dolphin).

1995

Same as above KM#8 Franc, but...

Year: 1995. Weight: 1.65 [1.65g]. Mintage: 3,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: bee).

1996

	Same as above KM#8 Franc, but... Year: 1996. Weight: 1.66 [1.65g]. Mintage: 3,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: bee).
	KM#13 / Schön#22 250 Francs. Year: 1996. Weight: 8.03g [8.00g]. Metal: Bi-Metallic; Brass center, Copper-Nickel ring. Diameter: 26.00 mm. Edge: Reeded / Plain (5 patches each). Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: bee).
Obverse: "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity on West Africa side of Africa Map. "UNION MONETAIRE OUEST-AFRICAINE" (West African Monetary Union) written in circular form starting from 7'o clock, near the border clockwise. Date below the Africa map. Maize crop stem at the bottom. Reverse: Value "250 FRANCS" written at bottom center with 7 maize crops in the background. "BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (Central Bank of States of the West Africa) written in circular form near the border starting from 7 o'clock clockwise. "Taku" (sawfish) at the bottom. Mintage: 7,500,000. Minted Years: 1992, 1993 and 1996 (dolphin mintmark from 1992-1993 and bee in 1996).

1997

	Same as above KM#2a 5 Francs, but... Year: 1997. Weight: 3.01 [3.00g]. Mintage: 18,060,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: bee).
	Same as above KM#10 10 Francs, but... Year: 1997. Weight: 3.96 [4.00g]. Mintage: 38,170,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: bee).
	KM#9 / Schön#19 25 Francs. Year: 1997. Weight: 8.00g [8.00g]. Metal: Aluminum-Bronze. Diameter: 27.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: bee).
Obverse: Date at the top. Laboratory assistant pouring liquid into a test tube. Reverse: "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity, divides the number "25" and "FRANCS" written below it, in the center. Mintmarks below "DE" at top right side. "BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (Central Bank of States of the West Africa) written in circular form near the border starting at 6 o'clock clockwise. Dot at the bottom. Mintage: 21,940,800. Minted Years: 1980-1982, 1984, 1987, 1989-1992, 1994-1997, 1999-2017 (dolphin mintmark from 1980-1992, bee from 1994-1999, horseshoe from 2000-2002, heart in 2003, conch at the top on Obverse side in 2004, horn from 2005-2010 and floret from 2011-2017). Engravers: A.G.M.M. (Monogram of Atelier de Gravure des Monnaies et Médailles) [Obverse side] / Gabriel Bernard / Lucien Georges Bazor [Reverse side]. Note: ESSAI (Pattern) as KM#E9 dated 1980 exists with mintage: 3,000 and KM#E10 dated 1980 in 0.900 Gold (weight 10.00 grams with mintage only 5).
	Same as above KM#6 50 Francs, but... Year: 1997. Weight: 4.94 [5.00g]. Mintage: 25,760,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: bee).
	Same as above KM#4 100 Francs, but... Year: 1997. Weight: 7.05 [7.00g]. Mintage: 69,000,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: bee).

1999

Same as above KM#2a 5 Francs, but...

Year: 1999. Weight: 3.01 [3.00g]. Mintage: 54,930,000. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: bee).

2002

Same as above KM#9 25 Francs, but...

Year: 2002. Weight: 7.69 [8.00g]. Mintage: N/A. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: horseshoe).

2003

	KM#14 / Schön#24 200 Francs. Year: 2003. Weight: 6.97g [7.00g]. Metal: Bi-Metallic; Brass center and Copper-Nickel ring. Diameter: 24.00 mm. Edge: Reeded / Plain (5 patches each). Alignment: Coin. Mint: British Royal Mint (mintmark: small heart).
Obverse: Value "200 FRANCS" written in the center; surrounded by various plants. "UNION MONETAIRE OUEST-AFRICAINE" (West African Monetary Union) written in circular form starting from 7'o clock, near the border clockwise. Date at the bottom with mintmarks on both sides. Reverse: "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity in the center. "BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (Central Bank of States of the West Africa) written in circular form near the border starting from 7 o'clock clockwise. Dot at the bottom. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: 2003-2005, 2010 and 2017 (2004 issue was minted at Paris, rest at British Royal mint). Engravers: Matthew Bonaccorsi (Obverse side) / Raymond Joly (Reverse side).
	KM#15 / Schön#25 500 Francs. Year: 2003. Weight: 10.59g [10.60g]. Metal: Bi-Metallic; Copper-nickel center, Brass ring. Diameter: 27.50 mm. Edge: Reeded / Plain (3 patches each). Alignment: Coin. Mint: British Royal Mint.
Obverse: Value "500 FRANCS" written in the center; surrounded by various plants. "UNION MONETAIRE OUEST-AFRICAINE" (West African Monetary Union) written in circular form starting from 7'o clock, near the border clockwise. Date at the bottom with mintmarks on both sides. Reverse: "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity in the center. "BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (Central Bank of States of the West Africa) written in circular form near the border starting from 7 o'clock clockwise. Dot at the bottom. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: 2003 (British Royal mint), 2004 (Monnaie de Paris/Pessac), 2005 (British Royal mint. also exists in medal alignment 27.50 mm and on diameter 29.00 mm with plain edge) and 2010 (British Royal mint). Engravers: Matthew Bonaccorsi (Obverse side) / Raymond Joly (Reverse side).

2004

Same as above KM#6 50 Francs, but...

Year: 2004. Weight: 5.07 [5.00g]. Mintage: 4,600,000. Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: horn)

2005

Same as above KM#13 500 Francs, but...

Year: 2005. Weight: 10.51 [10.60g]. Mintage: N/A. Diameter: 27.50 mm. Edge: Reeded / Plain (3 patches each). Alignment: Coin. Mint: British Royal Mint.

2009

Same as above KM#6 50 Francs, but...

Year: 2009. Weight: 4.93 [5.00g]. Mintage: N/A. Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: horn).

2011

Same as above KM#2a 5 Francs, but...

Year: 2011. Weight: 2.99 [3.00g]. Mintage: N/A. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: pentagon).

2012

	Same as above KM#10 10 Francs, but... Year: 2012. Weight: 3.98 [4.00g]. Mintage: N/A. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: pentagon).
	Same as above KM#9 25 Francs, but... Year: 2012. Weight: 8.02 [8.00g]. Mintage: N/A. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: pentagon).
	KM#6a / Schön#14a 50 Francs. Year: 2012. Weight: 4.80g [4.80g]. Metal: Nickel plated Steel. Diameter: 22.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: pentagon).
Obverse: Value "50 FRANCS" written in the center; surrounded by various plants. "UNION MONETAIRE OUEST-AFRICAINE" (West African Monetary Union) written in circular form starting from 7'o clock, near the border clockwise. Date at the bottom with mintmarks on both sides. Reverse: "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity in the center. "BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (Central Bank of States of the West Africa) written in circular form near the border starting from 7 o'clock clockwise. Mintage: 20,011,000. Minted Years: 2012-2017 (pentagon mintmark). Engraver: Raymond Joly.
	KM#4a / Schön#15a 100 Francs. Year: 2012. Weight: 6.61g [6.60g]. Metal: Nickel plated Steel. Diameter: 26.00 mm. Edge: Reeded. Alignment: Coin. Mint: Monnaie de Paris (mintmark: pentagon).
Obverse: Value "100 FRANCS" written in the center; surrounded by various plants. "UNION MONETAIRE OUEST-AFRICAINE" (West African Monetary Union) written in circular form starting from 7'o clock, near the border clockwise. Date at the bottom with mintmarks on both sides. Reverse: "Taku" a sawfish, a symbol of prosperity in the center. "BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST" (Central Bank of States of the West Africa) written in circular form near the border starting from 7 o'clock clockwise. Mintage: N/A. Minted Years: 2012-2017 (pentagon mintmark). Engraver: Raymond Joly.

Countries / Territories

Chiefa Coins