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
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
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
1972;
original
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
Governor. An informal understanding has existed up to now that the head of the
bank will be from
are now challenging this agreement and want the position to be rotated.
leadership is currently in limbo. Bank headquarters were transferred from
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"
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:
Monetary emission in the BCEAO countries is centrally
controlled by bank headquarters in
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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. (
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
you want notes which are pas
dizianés. Go to commercial banks in
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
Among older issues, the early
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
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
has been untested for years simply because these notes have never been
available. I have not seen a single example of a
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
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
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
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
were interested only in basic designs rather than date, signature, and country
code data.
9 When
This only-known example of a 1959-date
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
5000 francs (1992-2003)
Sign. Date* Code Letter
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.