KEY TO GRADING
1. All grading is by strict IBNS standards. Additional explanation as follows:
2. Counting Marks: Up until 1985 almost all BEAC notes have counting marks at upper right. Even a number of the 1985-92 varieties are apparently unknown without counting marks. The highest grade I give for a note with counting mark (even those with the barest trace) is AU-UNC.
2. Engraved Notes: (all issues prior to 1978 and most subsequent 5000 & 10000 francs) The highest grade I give is AU-UNC because of the ripple effect from Bank of France printing. While counting marks should be assumed for these notes, in many cases the rippling effect has eliminated counting mark evidence. Rippling is not a fault but a highly-desirable indication that the note has not been altered.
3. Minor Handling Marks: Some of the notes graded AU-UNC may have a minor handling mark (especially among the early issues).
4. AU Grade: This is given when a note has multiple minor handling marks. Also notes with a very light fold (not a crease).
5. Pressed Notes: This series is
known for its abundance of pressed notes. The vast majority of pre-1980
notes which I have seen advertised over the years as UNC have in fact been
pressed. The pressed notes in this collection are marked with a ##.
A few additional notes are suspiciously flat, but I am uncertain whether
they have actually been pressed or not. These are marked with a #?.
http://home.comcast.net/~wdburson/FEA9.JPG
FRENCH EQUATORIAL AFRICA (1947-60)
Pick# Denomination Date Sign. Grade
20 5 francs
ND(47) AU-UNC
21 10 francs
ND(47) AU-UNC
22 20 francs
ND(47) AU-UNC #?
23 50 francs
ND(47) AU-UNC
24 100 francs
ND(47) XF
25 500 francs
ND(49) XF
26 1000 francs
ND(47) XF ##
27 5000 francs
ND(52) FINE
28 5 francs
ND(55) 1 AU-UNC
29 10 francs
ND(55) 1 VF
30 20 francs
ND(55) 1 AU-UNC
31 50 francs
ND(55) 1 AU-UNC
32 100 francs
ND(57) 1 AU-UNC
33 500 francs
ND(58) 1 AU
34 1000 francs
ND(58) 1 VF-XF
EQUATORIAL AFRICAN STATES (1961-73)
Pick# Letter Denomination Date Sign. Grade
1a A
100 francs ND(61) 1 XF-AU
1b B
100 francs ND(61) 1 FINE
x 2
1c C
100 francs ND(61) 1 XF
##
1d D
100 francs ND(61) 1 AU-UNC
1e *
100 francs ND(61) 1 AU-UNC
1f none 100 francs
ND(61) 1 AU-UNC
2 *
100 francs ND(62) 1 AU-UNC
3a A
100 francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
3b B
100 francs ND(63) 1 VF
##
3c C
100 francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
3d D
100 francs ND(63) 1 AU+
#?
4a A
500 francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
4b B
500 francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
4c C
500 francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
4d D
500 francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
4e A
500 francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
4f B
500 francs ND(63) 1 VF
##
4g C
500 francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
4h D
500 francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
5a A 1000
francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
5b B 1000
francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
5c C 1000
francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
5d D 1000
francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
5e A 1000
francs ND(63) 1 VF
5f B 1000
francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
5g C 1000
francs ND(63) 1 XF ##
5h D 1000
francs ND(63) 1 AU-UNC
6a A 5000
francs ND(62) 1 XF ##
6b B 5000
francs ND(62) 1 AU
6c C 5000
francs ND(62) 1 F
6d D 5000
francs ND(62) 1 AU-UNC
7 none 10000 francs
ND(68) 1 AU-UNC
CAMEROUN (1961-92)
Pick# Denomination Date Sign. Grade
7
1000 francs ND(61) 1A XF
##
8
5000 francs ND(61) 1A F
9
5000 francs ND(61) 1A VF+
10
100 francs ND(62) 1A AU-UNC
11 (engr) 500 francs
ND(62) 1A AU-UNC
11 (lith) 500 francs
ND(62) 1A AU-UNC
12 (engr) 1000 francs ND(62)
1A AU+ #?
12 (lith) 1000 francs ND(62)
1A AU-UNC
13
5000 francs ND(62) 1A AU-UNC
14 10000
francs ND(72) 2 AU-UNC
15a
500 francs ND(74) 3
AU-UNC
15b
500 francs ND(74) 5
AU-UNC
15c
500 francs 1-4-78 10 UNC
15d
500 francs 1-6-81 12 UNC
15e
500 francs 1-1-82 12 UNC
15d
500 francs 1-1-83 12 AU-UNC
16a 1000
francs ND(75) 5 AU-UNC
16b 1000
francs ND(78) 8 UNC
16c 1000
francs 1-4-78 10 UNC
16c 1000
francs 1-7-80 10 AU-UNC
16d 1000
francs 1-6-81 12 UNC
16d 1000
francs 1-1-82 12 UNC
16d 1000
francs 1-1-83 12 UNC
17a 5000
francs ND(74) 3 AU-UNC
17b 5000
francs ND(74) 5 AU-UNC
17c 5000
francs ND(78) 11 AU+
17c 5000
francs ND(78) 12 AU-UNC
18a 10000 francs
ND(74) 5 AU-UNC
18b 10000 francs
ND(78) 11 UNC
18b 10000 francs
ND(78) 12 UNC
19
5000 francs ND(83) 12 AU-UNC
20 10000
francs ND(83) 12 UNC
21
1000 francs 1-6-84 12 AU-UNC
22* 5000
francs ND(84) 12 UNC
22
5000 francs ND(84) 12 AU-UNC
22
5000 francs ND(84) 13 VF-XF
23* 10000 francs
ND(84) 12 UNC
23 10000
francs ND(84) 12 AU-UNC
23 10000
francs ND(84) 13 AU-UNC
24a
500 francs 1-1-85 12 AU-UNC
24a
500 francs 1-1-86 12 AU-UNC
24a
500 francs 1-1-87 12 AU-UNC
24a
500 francs 1-1-88 12 UNC
24b
500 francs 1-1-90 13 UNC
25
1000 francs 1-1-85 12 UNC
26a 1000
francs 1-1-86 12 UNC
26a 1000
francs 1-1-87 12 UNC
26a 1000
francs 1-1-88 12 UNC
26a 1000
francs 1-1-89 12 UNC
26b 1000
francs 1-1-90 13 UNC
26c 1000
francs 1-1-92 15 UNC
* Single-digit block number.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (1974-92)
Pick# Denomination Date Sign. Grade
1
500 francs ND(75) 6
AU-UNC
2
1000 francs ND(75) 6
AU-UNC
3
5000 francs ND(74) 4
AU-UNC
3
5000 francs ND(76) 6
AU-UNC
4
10000 francs ND(76) 6
AU-UNC
5 ++ 500
francs 1-4-78 9 AU+
(Specimen)
6
1000 francs 1-4-78 9
AU #?
6** 1000
francs 1-4-78 9 AU-UNC
(Specimen)
7
5000 francs ND(79) 9
AU-UNC
8
10000 francs ND(78) 6
AU-UNC
9
500 francs 1-1-80 9
UNC
9
500 francs 1-7-80 9
AU-UNC
9
500 francs 1-6-81 9
UNC
10
1000 francs 1-1-80 9
AU-UNC
10
1000 francs 1-7-80 9
AU-UNC
10
1000 francs 1-6-81 9
AU-UNC
10
1000 francs 1-1-82 9
AU-UNC
10
1000 francs 1-6-84 9
AU-UNC
11
5000 francs 1-1-80 9
AU-UNC
12
5000 francs ND(84) 9
AU-UNC
12
5000 francs ND(91) 14 F-VF
13* 10000 francs
ND(83) 9 AU-UNC
13 10000
francs ND(83) 9 UNC
14
500 francs 1-1-85 9
UNC
14
500 francs 1-1-86 9
UNC
14
500 francs 1-1-87 9
UNC
14
500 francs 1-1-89 9
AU-UNC
14
500 francs 1-1-91 14 UNC
15
1000 francs 1-1-85 9
UNC
16
1000 francs 1-1-86 9
AU-UNC
16
1000 francs 1-1-87 9
XF
16
1000 francs 1-1-88 9
UNC
16
1000 francs 1-1-89 9
UNC
16
1000 francs 1-1-90 9
UNC
* Single-digit block number.
++ When I discovered the 5 known copies, all had a small burn
at the lower right corner. I had my own example professionally rewoven
to prevent any further deterioration.
** Second printing; all regular issues destroyed.
CHAD (1971-92)
Pick# Denomination Date Sign. Grade
1
10000 francs ND(71) 1
AU
2a
500 francs ND(75) 6
AU-UNC
2b
500 francs 1-4-78 10 AU-UNC
3a
1000 francs ND(75) 5
AU-UNC
3a
1000 francs ND(77) 7
AU-UNC
3b
1000 francs ND(78) 8
AU-UNC
3c
1000 francs 1-4-78 10 AU-UNC
4
5000 francs ND(74) 4
AU-UNC
5a
5000 francs ND(76) 6
AU-UNC
5b
5000 francs ND(78) 9
AU-UNC
6
500 francs 1-6-80 10 UNC
6
500 francs 1-6-84 10 AU-UNC
7
1000 francs 1-6-80 10 UNC
7
1000 francs 1-6-84 9
AU-UNC
8
5000 francs 1-1-80 9
AU-UNC
9a
500 francs 1-1-85 10 AU-UNC
9a
500 francs 1-1-86 10 AU-UNC
9b
500 francs 1-1-87 12 UNC
9c
500 francs 1-1-90 13 UNC
9d
500 francs 1-1-91 15 F
9d
500 francs 1-1-92 15 UNC
10
1000 francs 1-1-85 9
UNC
10Aa 1000 francs
1-1-85 9 UNC
10Aa 1000 francs
1-1-88 9 UNC
10Aa 1000 francs
1-1-89 9 UNC
10Aa 1000 francs
1-1-90 9 AU-UNC
10Ab 1000 francs
1-1-91 15 F
10Ab 1000 francs
1-1-92 15 AU-UNC
11* 5000
francs ND(84) 9 UNC
11* 5000
francs ND(84) 9 F
error no country name
11
5000 francs ND(84) 9
AU-UNC
11
5000 francs ND(91) 15 AU-UNC
12* 10000 francs
ND(84) 9 AU-UNC
12 10000
francs ND(84) 9 UNC
12 10000
francs ND(91) 15 AU-UNC
* Single-digit block number.
CONGO (1971-92)
Pick# Denomination Date Sign. Grade
1
10000 francs ND(71) 1
AU
2a
500 francs ND(74) 5
AU-UNC
2b
500 francs 1-4-78 10 AU-UNC
2b
500 francs 1-7-80 10 AU-UNC
2c
500 francs 1-6-81 12 AU-UNC
2c
500 francs 1-1-82 12 AU-UNC
2c
500 francs 1-1-83 12 AU-UNC
2c
500 francs 1-6-84 12 UNC
3a
1000 francs ND(74) 3
AU-UNC
3a
1000 francs ND(74) 5
AU-UNC
3b
1000 francs ND(78) 8
UNC
3c
1000 francs 1-4-78 10 AU-UNC
3d
1000 francs 1-6-81 12 AU-UNC
3d
1000 francs 1-1-82 12 AU-UNC
3d
1000 francs 1-1-83 12 AU-UNC
3d
1000 francs 1-6-84 12 AU-UNC
4a
5000 francs ND(74) 3
AU-UNC
4a
5000 francs ND(74) 5
AU-UNC
4b
5000 francs ND(78) 11 AU-UNC
4b
5000 francs ND(78) 12 AU-UNC
5a 10000
francs ND(74) 5 AU-UNC
5a 10000
francs ND(74) 7 AU-UNC
5b 10000
francs ND(78) 11 AU-UNC
5b 10000
francs ND(78) 12 XF
6
5000 francs ND(84) 12 UNC
6
5000 francs ND(91) 15 AU-UNC
7
10000 francs ND(83) 12
AU-UNC
8a
500 francs 1-1-85 12 AU-UNC
8a
500 francs 1-1-87 12 AU-UNC
8a*** 500 francs
1-1-88 12 F
8a
500 francs 1-1-89 12 UNC
8b
500 francs 1-1-90 13 UNC
8c
500 francs 1-1-91 15 AU-UNC
9
1000 francs 1-1-85 12 UNC
10a 1000
francs 1-1-87 12 UNC
10a 1000
francs 1-1-88 12 AU
10a 1000
francs 1-1-89 12 AU
10b 1000
francs 1-1-90 13 AU-UNC
10c 1000
francs 1-1-91 15 AU-UNC
11
1000 francs 1-1-92 15 UNC
12
5000 francs ND(91) 15 AU
13 10000
francs ND(91) 15 AU-UNC
*** Only example known.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA (1985-92)
Pick# Denomination Date Sign. Grade
(Pick numbers 1-19 not issued by BEAC.)
1
100 pesetas 12-10-69 AU-UNC
2
500 pesetas 12-10-69 AU-UNC
3
1000 pesetas 12-10-69 AU-UNC
4
25 ekuele 7-7-75
UNC
5
50 ekuele 7-7-75
UNC
6
100 ekuele 7-7-75
UNC
7
500 ekuele 7-7-75
UNC
8
1000 ekuele 7-7-75
AU-UNC
9
25 ekuele 7-7-75
UNC
10
50 ekuele 7-7-75
AU
11
100 ekuele 7-7-75
UNC
12
500 ekuele 7-7-75
UNC
13
1000 ekuele 7-7-75
XF
14
100 bipkwele 3-8-79
UNC
15
500 bipkwele 3-8-79
UNC
16
1000 bipkwele 3-8-79
UNC
17
5000 bipkwele 3-8-79
AU-UNC
18
1000 bipkwele 21-10-80 AU-UNC
19
5000 bipkwele 21-10-80 UNC
20
500 francs 1-1-85 9
AU-UNC
21
1000 francs 1-1-85 9
AU-UNC
21
1000 francs 1-1-85 9
XF very low number
22
5000 francs 1-1-85 9
AU-UNC
22
5000 francs 1-1-86 9
AU-UNC
GABON (1971-92)
Pick# Denomination Date Sign. Grade
1
10000 francs ND(71) 1
AU-UNC
2a
500 francs ND(75) 6
AU-UNC
2b
500 francs 1-4-78 9
UNC
3a
1000 francs ND(74) 4
AU
3a
1000 francs ND(74) 6
AU-UNC
3b
1000 francs ND(78) 6
XF
3c
1000 francs 1-4-78 9
AU
3c
1000 francs 1-1-83 9
UNC
3c
1000 francs 1-6-84 9
UNC
4a
5000 francs ND(74) 4
AU-UNC #?
4a
5000 francs ND(74) none AU-UNC
4a
5000 francs ND(74) 6
AU-UNC
4b
5000 francs ND(78) 9
AU-UNC
4b*** 5000 francs
ND(78) none XF
5a 10000
francs ND(74) 6 AU
5b 10000
francs ND(78) 9 AU-UNC
6
5000 francs ND(84) 9
AU
6
5000 francs ND(91) 14 AU-UNC
7
10000 francs ND(83) 9
AU
7
10000 francs ND(91) 14
AU
8
500 francs 1-1-85 9
UNC
9
1000 francs 1-1-85 9
UNC
10a 1000
francs 1-1-86 9 AU-UNC
10a 1000
francs 1-1-87 9 UNC
10a 1000
francs 1-1-90 9 AU
10b 1000
francs 1-1-91 14 UNC
10b 1000
francs 1-1-92 14 AU
*** Only example known.
1992-2000 Issues
Date Denom. "E" "C" "F" "L" "N" "P" Cameroun Congo C.A.R Gabon EqGuin Chad 1993 500 fr UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC 1000 fr UNC XF UNC UNC UNC UNC 2000 fr UNC XF VF UNC UNC UNC 1994 500 fr UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC 1000 fr UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC 2000 fr UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC 5000 fr UNC UNC UNC AU UNC UNC 10000 fr UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC 1995 500 fr UNC VG UNC UNC UNC UNC 1000 fr UNC VG UNC UNC UNC UNC 2000 fr UNC VG VG UNC UNC UNC 5000 fr UNC ?? UNC UNC UNC F-VF 10000 fr UNC VF AU UNC UNC VF 1997 500 fr UNC VG AU ?? UNC UNC 1000 fr UNC ?? F UNC UNC UNC 2000 fr UNC F UNC UNC UNC UNC 5000 fr VF UNC UNC UNC ?? UNC 10000 fr UNC UNC UNC UNC F AU+
1998 500 fr UNC VG AU+ ?? ?? UNC 1000 fr UNC F UNC UNC ?? UNC 2000 fr ?? VF UNC AU+ ?? AU 5000 fr UNC UNC F UNC AU AU+ 10000 fr UNC VF UNC UNC UNC UNC
1999 500 fr UNC ?? UNC ?? ?? UNC 1000 fr UNC G UNC F ?? UNC 2000 fr VF ?? F-VF F ?? F 5000 fr AU F UNC UNC ?? UNC 10000 fr VF UNC UNC F F UNC
2000 500 fr UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC 1000 fr UNC UNC UNC UNC UNC 2000 fr UNC UNC AU UNC UNC 5000 fr UNC AU UNC UNC AU+ 10000 fr AU AU+ UNC UNC AU
2002 500 fr UNC F+ 1000 fr UNC UNC 2000 fr UNC UNC 5000 fr UNC 10000 fr UNC UNC 2002 - Issues Date Denom. "U" "T" "M" "A" "F" "C" Cameroun Congo C.A.R Gabon EqGuin Chad 2002 500 fr UNC UNC UNC- UNC UNC VF 1000 fr UNC AU UNC- UNC UNC 2000 fr UNC UNC UNC UNC 5000 fr UNC UNC UNC- UNC UNC 10000 fr UNC UNC XF UNC UNC
