BCEAO Headquarters in Dakar. Most BCEAO offices are of avant-garde architecture.
The Many Varieties of West African States Banknotes
Weldon D. Burson
Author’s Note: This article, originally co-authored by Bob Lahre,
first appeared in the I.B.N.S. Journal, Vol. 30, 1991. I
have periodically updated it over the past 13 years to the point
that it bears little resemblance to the original document.
Some of the data I so laboriously researched is now easily available
on the BCEAO webpage ( http://www.bceao.int
), but most
of it is not. I am getting on in years and my collection
is sufficiently complete that I may decide to dispose of it some time
soon. Therefore, I felt it best to offer the information
herein for current and future collectors. Any questions or
corrections will be gladly received. wburson@earthlink.net
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Banknotes issued by the Central Bank of the
West African States (BCEAO) cover a period of only 46 years, yet they are
surely one of the world's most complex series. They contain issues
for nine different countries, at least 33 different signature
combinations, several different printing methods, and numerous date
varieties. Soon after I started collecting West African
notes it became apparent that catalog listings were seriously incomplete.
At almost every banknote show I found signature or
date varieties which were unreported. As a result, I embarked
on a project to list all known BCEAO issues. That project is
still in progress - and of course can never end since new issues continue
to come out every year. From the 200+ varieties
listed in PICK1 in
1989, the list has expanded to over 1000 in 2005. About half of the
additions are pre-1989 varieties
which either existed in collections without being catalogued or have
been discovered during the past 16 years.
1 The standard catalogue for banknote
collectors is World Paper Money published by Krause Publications of Iola,
WI. It is usually referred to
as the "Pick Catalogue" and notes
are given a "Pick number" as attribution to the original author.
An integral part of the original article was
a chart showing all confirmed varieties of BCEAO notes. These are
now
listed in PICK. However, the PICK listings are not conducive
to showing the complexity of varieties issued or those not yet
discovered. I would thus urge readers to consult either the list
at the end of this article or the charts available in Roger Leclerc’s
book
Les Billets Africains de la Zone Franc2.
I try to keep the listings up to date, but collectors should be aware that
some
older varieties are likely to surface for years to come. Photocopies
or scans of any varieties not listed are certainly welcome.
2 This is the definitive book on
French African notes. See my review in the I.B.N.S. Journal, Vol.
40, #1, 1999.
BCEAO Headquarters in Dakar. Most BCEAO offices are of avant-garde
architecture.
BCEAO Background and Operations
The BCEAO was established April 4, 1959 by the Government
of France to provide a continuing emissions authority for
West African colonies soon to become independent. It succeeded
the Institut d'Emission de l'A.O.F. et du Togo which had
taken over emissions responsibility from the Banque de l'AfriqueOccidentale
in 1955. The Banque de l'Afrique Occidentale
had held responsibility for monetary emission in the area since 1903
when it succeeded the Banque du Senegal. Its issues
are among the most colorful and sought-after by the collecting community.
The BCEAO was intended to operate under the umbrella
of the French-African Community (Communaute
Franco-Africaine) which accompanied the formation of the Fifth French
Republic in 1958. Several West African members,
however, declined to ratify the Community arrangement. Subsequent
bilateral and multilateral agreements were negotiated
which led in 1962 to the formation of the West African Monetary Union
(UMOA). Of necessity, the BCEAO functioned as a
de facto emissions authority from 1959 until 1962. Since 1962
it has operated as a public multilateral entity under the
UMOA.3
Its charter was revised in 1973 to provide greater African control over
bank operations. Member countries
are Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo,
and Guinea-Bissau. Mauritania was a member until
1972; Mali left the BCEAO in 1962 but rejoined in 1984. Guinea-Bissau
joined in 1997. Guinea, which was part of the
original French West Africa colonial grouping, opted out of the economic
union from the outset.
3 The best source I have found
for this complex evolution of the bank is Hubert Gerardin's La Zone
Franc, 1989, Editions L'Harmattan, Paris.
A more detailed and personal account
can be found in Robert Julienne’s Vingt Ans d’Institutions Monetaires
Ouest-Africaines, 1988, Editions
L’Harmattan, Paris.
From 1959 until 1973, the BCEAO was headed by a French
Directeur
General, Robert Julienne. Following the 1973
reforms, an African director, AbdoulayeFadiga, was named and his title
changed to Gouvernour. Fadiga died in June 1988
and was replaced by Alassane Ouattara. Charles Konan Banny succeeded
Ouattara in 1994 when the latter became Prime
Minister of Cote d'Ivoire. Banny himself has recently been named
Prime Minister of Cote d'Ivoire, but has not yet resigned as
Governor. An informal understanding has existed up to now that the
head of the bank will be from Cote d'Ivoire. Other countries
are now challenging this agreement and want the position to be rotated.
Cote d'Ivoire leaders are resisting and the bank's
leadership is currently in limbo. Bank headquarters were transferred
from Paris to Dakar in 1979. National offices are located
in each of the eight capitals with 15 branches in other major cities.
While the operations of the bank are largely autonomous,
general policy direction is provided by a Conseil des Ministres
consisting of two ministers (the Finance Minister plus one other) from
each member country. The presidency of this Council
of Ministers rotates alphabetically among member countries every two
years. Since some countries change ministers
frequently, there have been instances where a country has provided
two or even three different Council Presidents during a
two-year turn. The signature of the President du Conseil des Ministres
appears on BCEAO banknotes along with that of
the Gouverneur (or previously Directeur General).
The high turnover rate for the Council Presidency has resulted in a
proliferation of signature combinations with the current (2005) version
being number 33.
The BCEAO provides a common currency, the CFA franc,
for all member countries.4
A code letter on each note identifies
the country for which it was issued. These code letters are as
follows: "A" Cote d'Ivoire, "B" Benin, "C" Burkina Faso, "D"
Mali, "E" Mauritania, "H" Niger, "K" Senegal, "S" Guinea-Bissau, and
"T" Togo.5
Most notes in circulation carry the local
code letter, but those issued in other countries are often available
and fully valid. With the exception of BCEAO officials
and specialized banknote collectors, few people are even aware of the
code letter system.
4 While notes for French Africa
have always been denominated in francs, the term “CFA franc” was adopted
in 1945 to signify francs of the
“Colonies Francais d’Afrique.”
This was changed in 1958 to francs of the “Communaute Franco- Africain”
and again in 1962 to francs of the
“Communaute Financiere Africaine.”
5 The rationale behind this original
assigning of code letters has apparently been lost. I have been unable
to find a BCEAO official who can
offer an explanation. The first
five letters clearly were assigned alphabetically: Cote d'Ivoire, Dahomey,
Haute Volta, Mali, Mauritania; but then
Niger appears to have rejected
“F” (perhaps associating it with “France”) and the order broke down.
Monetary emission in the BCEAO countries is centrally
controlled by bank headquarters in Dakar. Each year the Director
of Emissions places orders with the Bank of France for new notes based
on headquarters calculations of circulation needs in
each country. While all denominations are usually ordered for
each country, occasionally one or more will not be
needed. (See, for example, the absence of a number of 5000/10000 franc
varieties for Togo.) The BCEAO has records on
orders placed, but it does not keep track of all the date and signature
information on the notes it receives and places in
circulation. The Bank of France is believed to have such information,
but does not make it available to the public.
This Mali 5000 francs (P404D) is one of the rarest of West African
issues.
Notes Issued by the BCEAO
Through 2004, there have been four basic series of
BCEAO notes. Notes of the first two series (and of the colonial
period) continued to be valid until 2002 when they were demonetized
after a year’s advance notice. As a result of extensive
counterfeiting and robbery of two BCEAO offices in Cote d'Ivoire, the
third series ceased to be valid at the end of 2004.
1) The 1959 series consists of 50, 100, 500, 1000, and 5000 franc denominations.
The 50 francs had only the initial 1959
printing, and the 100 francs was discontinued in 1965. Early
issues (1959-65) of this series carry a date in the bottom
center. Subsequent versions are undated (ND). The code
letter on these notes is located following the block number6
at
upper right and lower left. Signatures are usually located in
the center of the face of the notes, but at times on the left side.
6 Block numbers (numeros de
tirage) were an anti-counterfeiting device used on French-printed notes
which permitted confirmation of the serial number; they are usually found
in the upper right corner. They consist of a letter and several numbers
(e.g. R.34). Unfortunately the block number letter is sometimes mistaken
for a country code letter.
The block-number letter is sometimes confused with the country code
letter. This note (P503Eg) was issued
for Mauritania, not Cote d’Ivoire.
2) The second series started in 1977 with new 5000 and 10000 franc notes;
new designs came out for the 500 francs in 1979
and for the 1000 francs in 1981. The 500, 1000, 5000 denominations
have the date and code letter together (e.g. 1985 K) in
the upper right corner. The 10000 franc notes are undated, but
the code letters are in the same location. Signatures remain on
the front center of the notes. In this series, a number of dates
exist with more than one signature combination, such as the
1992 5000 francs which can be found with signatures 22, 23, or 24.
The second series of BCEAO notes combines the date and code letter,
such as this1980 H 5000 francs.
3) The third-series designs were started in 1991 with 500 and 1000 franc
denominations. The 5000 and 10000 franc notes
followed in 1992, accompanied by a new 2500 franc denomination
The year of issue is found in the first two digits of the
serial number. Signatures were moved to the back of the notes;
code letters remained in the upper right and lower left
corners. Bar codes were added for automatic sorting. The
2500 francs encountered strong public resistance and printing
was discontinued after 1994.
4) The most recent designs were initiated by release of a 10000 franc
note in July, 2003 followed by a 2000 franc
denomination in October. The 1000 and 5000 franc notes were released
in December. The 500 franc note has been
discontinued and replaced by a coin. The size of the new notes
is significantly smaller than previous issues and the standard
colors use for previous issues has been abandoned. Signatures,
dates, and security features are similar to those of the third
series.
Signatures were moved to the reverse of BCEAO notes in 1991.
This is signature 32 on the 10000 francs dated 2003.
Printing Varieties
During the 1959-78 period, all BCEAO notes were printed
by the Bank of France. Since 1981, the French firm Oberthur
has produced the 500 and 1000 franc issues (and apparently the 2500
francs). The 5000 and 10000 franc notes continue to
be printed by the Bank of France. Difficulties at Oberthur, however,
led to the Bank of France printing a few 500 franc
issues in 1981-83. The Bank of France issues can be identified
by their small numeral, ten-digit serial numbers (similar to
the 1979-80 500 franc notes). Notes printed by Oberthur carry large
numeral, nine-digit serial numbers.
Engraved and litho printing varieties exist for the
100 franc note and for the early 500 and 1000 franc notes. The 100
francs was
switched to litho in 1961 and signature 2 is found with both engraved
and litho versions. In 1967, the 500 and 1000 franc notes
changed from engraved to litho; signature 6 exists with both versions.7
The 5000 and 10000 franc notes continue to be engraved.
7 See my article in the I.B.N.
S. Journal, Volume 30, #1, 1991 for a review of how to identify litho vs.
engraved varieties. The easiest way is through
block numbers rather than magnified
inspection.
Country code letters for the first series of notes were
added in a final pass after all other design features including serial
and
block numbers had been printed. As a result, placement of the
code letter can vary slightly. (See the Mauritania note below.)
Also,
the type-face used for the code letter is different from that of the
block number/letter. Roger Leclerc’s book shows approximate block
number ranges,and thus a rough printing quantity, for the various signatures
of the first series. No data are available, however, for the
quantity of notes printed for each code letter. Overall, signatures
3 and 8 appear to be the most scarce.
Signature 14 has appeared on two separate occasions
because Abdoulaye Kone of Cote d'Ivoire served twice as President
of the Council of Ministers, first for a brief period in 1977 and then
for a full term in 1988-89. This can cause confusion
over PICK listings which are in signature order. The 1988-89
signature 14 issues thus precede the 1981 signature 15 notes. The
undated 10000 franc notes from these two periods can be distinguished
only by use of the block numbers.
Several minor serial number variations exist which
are of interest to the ultra-specialists:
1) When Oberthur started producing the 1981-date 500 and 1000 franc
notes, the print rotors for the first three digits of the
serial number were stuck on zero. At least half of these denominations
dated 1981 are error notes with the first three digits
of the serial number as zeros. Both error and normal serial number
varieties exist for most code letters.
2) In 1985, the Bank of France changed the block numbering on the 10000
francs from two digits to three digits (e.g. R.021
instead of R.21). However several subsequent issues (signature
20) exist with both 2-digit and 3-digit block numbers.
3) In mid-1997, circulation demands for the 500 francs required adding
another digit to the existing 10-digit serial number.
Both 10-digit and 11-digit varieties of the 1997 date 500 francs have
been found for all code letters. The 1000 francs
switched to 11-digit numbers beginning with the 1998 issue.
4) While block number progression is for the most part orderly, it
is not unusual to find a note whose block number does not
fit in the normal range. This is true especially for the 500 and 1000
franc notes of the early 1980’s and some of the 1959
issues. One should also be aware that signature 14 (1977 version) and
signature 24 are out of order because they were
discovered only after the succeeding signature had been assigned a
number. Second series 10000 franc notes
with misordered block numbers are usually counterfeit, as are third-series
10000 francs with signatures which do not fit the date.
The 500 franc notes of 1997 (110Ag) exist with both 10-digit
and 11-digit serial numbers. The first two digits of the
number indicate the year of issue.
“Condition” of BCEAO Notes
At this point I should alert collectors who insist
on high-grade examples that they are likely to be frustrated by West
African issues. At least one-third of the confirmed varieties
simply do not exist in uncirculated condition. Even in the initial
stage of my research it became clear that "Very Good" was the best
grade available for many varieties. Most of the new
discoveries have come from circulation, and anyone who has traveled
in West Africa knows how dirty, torn, and tattered
circulating notes can be. While "Good" is generally deemed to
be the minimum collectible grade, at least 10 notes in my
own collection are "Fair" or "Poor." Most are the only examples
thus far known. Even some very recent issues such as the
1994 H and K 1000 francs are thus far not known above “Fine.”
A West African States collector will have to settle for what
is available!
The epitome of a “POOR” grade, but the only-known example of Niger
P602Hl.
BCEAO notes are also notorious for the high percentage
of early issues which have been washed and pressed. There is
nothing wrong with collecting such notes (I have at least 30 in my
own collection) - as long as they are so identified and one
does not pay UNC prices! The 1959-78 notes are on a paper stock
which developed ripples following printing. Any note
from this series which lies flat without ripples is almost certainly
pressed.
Before delivering new notes into circulation, central
bank cashiers count them into packets of 10, with the 10th note folded
over the other 9. As a result, most BCEAO notes are found with
a counting bend at upper right - ranging from very light to a
massacre of the note. (Togo and Burkina are usually the worst.)
Only notes delivered as full, unopened bricks will avoid
counting bends.8
Many of the second and third series are available in full UNC, but I do
not recall ever seeing a note from
the first series without at least a light counting bend.
8 If you are travelling in West
Africa, central bank cashiers in Senegal, Niger, Togo, and Benin are usually
willing to be helpful when you explain
you want notes which are
pas
dizianés. Go to commercial banks in Mali and Cote d ’Ivoire.
Exchange Rates and Catalog Value
The CFA franc has always been tied to the French
franc. For most of the life of the BCEAO, the CFA had an exchange
rate of 50:1 guaranteed by the Bank of France. In the latter
80’s unchecked capital flight had become such a problem that
West Africans were lined up every morning in front of the Bank of France
with huge rolls of 10000 CFA notes. In mid-1992
the Bank of France suspended exchange of physical notes and the CFA
was devalued in January 1993 to 100:1. As a result,
exchange houses all over the world stopped dealing in CFA francs.
With the advent of the Euro, CFA francs are pegged at
656:1 Euro, or 100 times the conversion rate for the French franc.
Despite lack of convertibility, high air fares, and security
problems in some of the countries, most new issues of CFA francs are being
brought out for collectors. The most difficult recent-issue notes
to obtain are those from Niger, followed by Guinea-Bissau and Benin.
Among older issues, the early Mali and Mauritania notes are in a scarcity
class by themselves, but with Niger not far behind.
The marvel of BCEAO issues is that collector prices
are so low for extremely rare items. BCEAO notes have to be one of
the best bargains available! In what other area could one find
a number of varieties currently believed to be unique
cataloging less than $100? One reason is that many of the great
rarities are known only in lower grades. Equally as
important is the fact that many collectors are interested only in types
rather than in comprehensive date, signature, and code letter
combinations. Perhaps the most sought-after note is the Mali
500 francs of 1959 (2 examples known in Fine) because it is
the only issue available for this series with a “D” code letter.
However, its value is tempered somewhat by the fact that
there are over 80 other varieties of this basic design type, some of
which are available UNC for $30 or less.
At the same time, collectors must be aware that the market
value of some rarities, especially the Mali and Mauritania notes,
has been untested for years simply because these notes have never been
available. I have not seen a single example of a Mali
500 or 1000 francs note offered during the past 25 years. A VF 5000
francs recently did become available and apparently
sold for around $1000. No West African States issue currently
catalogs more than $600, but catalog data is meaningless
when the market has not really been tested.
This Mali 500 francs of 1959 (402Da) is probably the most sought-after
of all BCEAO notes.
Research on BCEAO Banknote Varieties
As I started to compile data on the varieties of
BCEAO notes, I was surprised by the vast number of small collections
which exist. I found, however, only about a dozen large collections,
including the Amon Carter collection and the Pick
collection at the Munich Hipobank. All of these contained high-grade
and very scarce notes, but none had more than 50
percent of the then-cataloged varieties. From the material in
these collections I was able to add another 200 varieties to the
catalogue. In each case where the note was not one in my own
collection, I obtained a photocopy to confirm existence.
Through subsequent travel in West Africa and invaluable
assistance from a number of BCEAO officials, my own collection has now
expanded to include all of the confirmed varieties, including at least
50 previously unknown issues. Initially, most of the new
discoveries were in the 1980's series. After most of the blank
spots in that series were filled, new discoveries were largely in the 1959-77
series. Since the 2001 demonetization and destruction of notes from
the first two series, no new varieties from these series have been reported.
It has become increasingly apparent that most printing
runs included notes with each code letter. Blank spaces in the lists
therefore
often represent varieties not yet discovered rather than ones not printed.
There are some obvious exceptions such as the 1977A 5000
francs with signature 11 and the 1984D 5000 with signature 17 which
were special printings based on specific country needs. Also,
several varieties, such as the 100 francs with signature 5 and the
500 francs with signature 12, appear not to have been ordered for all
countries. However, there are a number of instances where notes
surely must have been printed even though no examples have been
reported. The most obvious ones are the first-issue (1959) 500
francs for Benin and 1000 francs for Niger. I suspect that another
10-20 varieties should exist which have not yet been discovered.
Unfortunately, some of these varieties are likely
never to be found. It is probable that some varieties, such as several
early issues for
Mauritania, no longer exist.9
When the BCEAO was retiring 1959-77 issues, I unsuccessfully urged a number
of officials to preserve
examples of these notes for historical purposes rather than destroy
them. Even for the new monetary museum in Dakar, however, they
were interested only in basic designs rather than date, signature,
and country code data.
9 When Mali and Mauritania withdrew
from the UMOA, notes with their code letters (D and E respectively) were
withdrawn from circulation. Thus the only ones available to collectors
are those which had already been set aside or the occasional note which
turns up in a book or bureau! Those turned in to the BCEAO were destroyed
(although I was able to “rescue” a few courtesy of central bank contacts).
This only-known example of a 1959-date Mauritania 1000 francs (P503Ea)
was rescued from scheduled destruction.
If printing records do eventually become available,
they will likely prove a mixed blessing - confirmation that many unreported
varieties were printed, but with the prospect that some of them will
never be found. In the meantime, as in all collecting efforts, the
joy
is in the search.
West
African States Banknote Varieties
This is the chart of all currently-known varieties.
Questions or additions (with scans) welcomed. wburson@earthlink.net
X
Confirmed (in my collection).
?? Reported
but not confirmed.
w/o Code Letters (1959)
Denom. Sign. Date
50 fr 1
ND(58) X
100 fr 1
23-4-59 X
100 fr 5
ND X
500 fr 1
15-4-59 X
1000 fr 1
17-9-59 X
5000 fr 1
15-4-59 X
100 francs (1959-67)
Sign. Date Code Letter
A B C D E H K T
1
20-3-61 X X
X X X X
X X
2(e) 20-3-61
X X X
X X X
2(l) 20-3-61
X X X
X X X
3
2-12-64 X X
?? X X
X X
4
2-03-65 X X
X X X
X X
4
ND
X X X
X X X X
5
ND
X
X X
(e) Engraved; block numbers 134-175.
(l) Litho; block numbers 176-198.
500 francs 1959-78
Sign. Date Code Letter
A B C D E H K T
1
15-4-59 X X
X X X X
X X
1
20-3-61 X X
X ?? X
X X
2
20-3-61 X X
X X X
X X
3
2-12-64 X ??
X X
4
2-03-65
X X X
X X
5
ND
X X X
X X X X
6(e) ND
X X X
X X X X
6(l) ND
X X
X X X
7
ND
X X X
X X X X
8
ND
X X
X X X
9
ND
X X X
X X X
10
ND
X X
X X X
11
ND
X X X
X X X
12
ND
X X
X
(e) Engraved; block numbers P.25-E.33.
(l) Litho; block numbers H.33-D.35.
1000 francs (1959-79)
Sign. Date Code Letter
A B C D E H K T
1
17-9-59 X X
X X X ??
X X
1
20-3-61 X X
X X X X
X X
2
20-3-61 X X
X
X X X
4
2-03-65 X X
X X X
X X
5
ND
X X
X X X
6(e) ND
X X X
X X X X
6(l) ND
X X
X X X X
7
ND
X X X
X X X
8
ND
X X X
X X X
9
ND
X X X
X X X
10
ND
X X X
X X X
11
ND
X X X
X X X
12
ND
X X X
X X X
13
ND
X X
X X X
(e) Engraved; block numbers Q.64-O.74.
(l) Litho; block numbers A.75-Q.86.
5000 francs (1959-76)
Sign. Date Code Letter
A B C D E H K T
1
20-3-61 X X
X X X X
X X
2
20-3-61 X X
X X X
X
3
2-12-64 X
X
4
2-03-65 X
X X X
X
6
ND
X X X
X X X X
7
ND
X X X
X X X X
8
ND
X
X X
9
ND
X X X
X X X
10
ND
X X
X X
11
ND
X X
X X X
500 francs (1979-80)
Sign. Date Code Letter
A B C D
H K T
12
1979 X X
X X X
X
13
1980 X X
X X X
500 francs (1981-90)
Sign. Date Code Letter
A B C D H K T
14
1988 X X
X X X X
X
15(f) 1981
X X X X
X X X
15
1981 X X
X X X
X
15(error) 1981
X X X
X X X
15(f) 1982
X X X
X X X
17
1981 X X
X X X X
X
17(f) 1983
X X X
X
18
1984 X X
X X X
X
19
1984 X X
X X
X
19
1985 X X
X X X X
X
20
1986 X X
X X X X
X
20
1987 X X
X X X X
X
21
1989 X X
X X X X
X
22
1990 X X
X X X X
X
1000 Francs (1981-90)
Sign. Date Code Letter
A B C D H K T
14
1988 X X
X X X X
X
15
1981 X X
X X X
X
15(error) 1981
X X X X
X X X
16
1981
X*
17
1981 X
X X X X
X
18
1984 X X
X X X
X
19
1984 X X
X X X
X
19
1985 X X
X X X X
X
20
1986 X X
X X X X
X
20
1987 X X
X X X X
X
21
1989 X X
X X X X
X
22
1990 X X
X X X X
X
(f) These notes have small, 10-digit serial
numbers and were printed by the Bank of France;the others have 9-digit
numbers and were printed by Oberthur.
The error notes all
have zeros as the first 3 digits of the serial number due to stuck rotors
on Oberthur presses.
* SPECIMEN note; special printing,
not an issued variety.
5000 francs (1977-92)
Sign. Date Code Letter
A B C D H K T
11
1977 X
12
1978 X
X X X
X
12
1979 X X
X X X
X
13
1980 X
X X
14
1977 X X
X X X
X
14
1988 X X
X X
14
1989 X X
X X X X
X
15
1981 X X
X X X
X
15
1982 X X
X X X
X
16
1983 X
X
17
1983 X X
X X X
X
17
1984
X
18
1984 X X
X X X X
X
19
1984 X
19
1985 X X
X X X X
20
1986 X X
X X X X
20
1987 X X
X X X X
X
21
1990 X X
X X X X
X
22
1991 X X
X X X
X
22
1992
X X
X X
23
1992
X X X
X X
24
1992
X X X
X X
10000 francs (1977-92)
Sign. Date Code Letter
A B C D H K T
11
ND X X
X X X
X
12
ND X X
X X X
X
13
ND X
X X X
X
14 (77)* ND
X X X
X X X
14 (88)* ND
X X X
X X
15
ND X X
X X X X
X
16
ND
X
X X
18
ND X X
X X X X
19
ND X X
X X X
20(3-digit) ND
X X X X
X X
20(2-digit) ND
X
X X X
21
ND X X
X X X X
22
ND X X
X X X X
X
23
ND X X
X
X X
* Block numbers are in the 6-7 range for the
early (1977) variety of signature 14 and in the 32-38 range for the later
(1988-89) varieties.
500 francs (1991-2002)
Sign. Date* Code Letter
A B C D H K T S
22
1991 X X
X X X X
X
22
1992
X
23
1992 X X
X X X X
X
25
1993 X X
X X X X
X
26
1994 X X
X X X X
X
27
1995 X X
X X X X
X
28
1996 X X
X X X X
X
28(10 digit)1997
X X X X
X X X X
28(11 digit)1997
X X X X
X X X X
28
1998 X X
X X X X
X X
28
1999 X
29
1999 X X
X X X X
X X
30
2000
X X X X
X X X
30
2001 X X
X X X X
X
31
2002 X X
X X X X
X X
31
2003
X
1000 francs (1991-2003)
Sign. Date* Code Letter
A B C D H K T S
22
1991 X X
X X X X
X
22
1992
X X
23
1992 X X
X X X X
X
25
1993 X X
X X X X
X
26
1994 X X
X X X X
X
27
1995 X X
X X X X
X
28
1996 X X
X X X X
X
28(10 digit)1997
X X X X
X X X X
28(11 digit)1998
X X X X
X X X X
29
1999 X X
X X X X
X X
30
2000
X X X X
X X
30
2001 X X
X X X
X X
31
2002 X X
X X X X
X X
31
2003 X X
X X X X
X
2500 francs (1992-1994)
Sign. Date* Code Letter
A B C D H K T
23
1992 X X
X X X X
X
25
1993 X X
X X X X
X
27
1994 X X
X X X X
X
A B C D H K T S
23
1992 X X
X X X X
X
25
1993 X X
X
X X
27
1994 X X
X X X X
X
27
1995 X X
X X X X
X
28
1996 X X
X X X X
28
1997 X X
X X X X
X X
28
1998 X X
X X X X
X X
29
1998 X X
X X X X
X X
29
1999 X X
X X X X
X X
30
2000 X X
X X X X
X X
30
2001 X X
X X X X
X
31
2002 X X
X X X X
X X
31
2003 X X
X X X X
X X
10000 francs (1992-2002)
Sign. Date* Code Letter
A B C D H K T S
25
1992 X X
X X X X
X
27
1994 X X
X X X X
X
27
1995 X X
X X X X
X
28
1996 X X
X X X X
X
28
1997 X X
X X X X
X X
28
1998 X X
X X X X
X
29
1998 X X
X X X X
X X
29
1999 X X
X X X X
X X
30
2000 X X
X X X X
X X
31
2001 X X
X X X X
X
* Year of issue indicated by first two digits of serial
number.
New Designs, 2003
1000 francs (2003- )
Sign. Date* Code Letter
A B C D H K T S
32
2003 X X
X X X X
X X
32
2004 X X
X X X X
X X
33
2005
X X
33
2006
X
2000 francs (2003- )
Sign. Date* Code Letter
A B C D H K T S
32
2003 X X
X X X X
X X
32
2004 X X
X X X X
X X
33
2005
X X
5000 francs (2003- )
Sign. Date* Code Letter
A B C D H K T S
32
2003 X X
X X X X
X X
32
2004 X X
X X X X
X X
33
2005 X X
X X X
33
2006
X X
10000 francs (2003- )
Sign. Date* Code Letter
A B C D H K T S
32
2003 X X
X X X X
X X
32
2004 X X
X X X X
X X
33
2005 X X
X X
* Year of issue indicated by first two digits of serial number.
--------------------------
SIGNATURES
Sign. Le Président* Country Le Directeur Général
1 Robert TEZENAS DU MONTCEL France
Robert JULIENNE
2 Bertin BORNA
Dahomey Robert JULIENNE
3 Alpha BA BOCAR
Mauritanie Robert JULIENNE
4 BambaOuld YEZID
Mauritanie Robert JULIENNE
5 Mohamed Saleh M’KHAITIRAT Mauritanie
Robert JULIENNE
6 Tianoko Marc GARANGO
Haute Volta Robert JULIENNE
7 Jean COLLIN
Sénégal Robert
JULIENNE
8 Babacar BA
Sénégal Robert
JULIENNE
9 Edem KODJO
Togo
Robert JULIENNE
Le Président du Conseil
Country Le Gouverneur
des Ministres
10 Edem KODJO
Togo
Abdoulaye FADIGA
11 Henri Konan BEDIE
Cote d’ivoire Abdoulaye FADIGA
12 Isidore AMOUSSOU
Benin Abdoulaye
FADIGA
13 Leonard KALMOGO
Burkina Faso Abdoulaye FADIGA
14 Abdoulaye KONE
Cote d’ivoire Abdoulaye FADIGA
15 Edmond KY
Burkina Faso Abdoulaye FADIGA
16 Hamid ALGABID
Niger Abdoulaye
FADIGA
17 Moussa TONDI
Niger Abdoulaye
FADIGA
18 Boukary ADJI
Niger Abdoulaye
FADIGA
19 Mamadou TOURE
Sénégal Abdoulaye
FADIGA
20 Komla ALIPUI
Togo
Abdoulaye FADIGA
21 Abdoulaye KONE
Cote d’ivoire Alassane OUATTARA
22 Idelphonse LEMON
Benin Alassane
OUATTARA
23 Frederic KORSAGA
Burkina Faso Alassane OUATTARA
24 Paul DOSSOU
Benin Alassane
OUATTARA
25 Roch Marc KABORE
Burkina Faso Alassane OUATTARA
26 Roch Marc KABORE
Burkina Faso Charles Konan BANNY
27 Soumaila CISSE
Mali
Charles Konan BANNY
28 Niamien NGORAN
Cote d’ivoire Charles Konan BANNY
29 Ide GNANDOU
Niger Charles
Konan BANNY
30 Abdoulaye DIOP
Senegal Charles Konan BANNY
31 Kossi ASSIMAIDOU
Togo
Charles Konan BANNY
32 Ayaovi TIGNOPKA
Togo
Charles Konan BANNY
33 Gregoire LAOUROU
Benin Charles
Konan BANNY
(or possibly Cosme SEHLIN)
NOTE: Identification of the Presidents of the Council
of Ministers above is based on best available data, but not guaranteed.
Spelling variations exist for some of the names.