Obverse. Photo © MINT XXI
  • 2000 Francs 2024, KM# 661, Cameroon, Interstellar Phenomena, Roswell Incident
  • 2000 Francs 2024, KM# 661, Cameroon, Interstellar Phenomena, Roswell Incident
  • 2000 Francs 2024, KM# 661, Cameroon, Interstellar Phenomena, Roswell Incident, Case
Description

The Roswell incident comprises a series of events and legends linked to the 1947 crash of a United States Army Air Forces balloon near Roswell, New Mexico. This balloon, part of the classified Project Mogul operated from Alamogordo Army Air Field, was designed for remote detection of Soviet nuclear tests. Following the recovery of metallic and rubber debris by personnel from Roswell Army Air Field, the United States Army initially proclaimed the discovery of a "flying disc," which garnered international attention but was retracted within a day. To obscure the true nature of the crashed balloon, the Army later asserted it was a conventional weather balloon.

The 1947 flying disc craze unfolded, and in 1978, retired Air Force officer Jesse Marcel disclosed that the weather balloon claim was a cover story, adding his speculation that the debris could be of extraterrestrial origin. This speculation gained traction with the 1980 book, The Roswell Incident, forming the basis for enduring and increasingly intricate UFO conspiracy theories. Over time, these theories expanded to include accusations of governments concealing evidence of extraterrestrial beings, grey aliens, multiple crashed flying saucers, alien corpses and autopsies, and the reverse engineering of extraterrestrial technology, none of which are substantiated.

Despite the absence of concrete evidence, many UFO proponents contend that the Roswell debris originated from an alien craft, accusing the US government of a cover-up. This conspiracy narrative has become a recurring theme in science fiction literature, film, and television. The town of Roswell capitalizes on this narrative to promote itself as a hub for UFO-associated tourism.

Engraver: Alex Vorodeyev

Obverse

Depicts a UFO seen from above, surrounded by the country name above, the face value, and the issue date below. The mintmark (XXI) is on the bottom left.

A UFO, or Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP), refers to any observed airborne occurrence that cannot be promptly identified or elucidated. Following examination, the majority of UFOs are recognized as familiar objects or atmospheric phenomena, with only a small fraction defying explanation.

REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN
2 oz Ag 999
2000 FRANCS CFA
2024 XXI

Reverse

Depicts two front-facing alines at the left, and a crashed UFO at the right, the coordinates of the incident above.


Grey aliens, also known as Zeta Reticulans or Roswell Greys, are alleged extraterrestrial beings commonly linked to close encounters and claims of alien abduction. Described as humanoid with small bodies, smooth grey skin, enlarged hairless heads, and large black eyes, they gained popularity after the 1961 Barney and Betty Hill abduction claim in New Hampshire. The Grey alien has become an iconic symbol of intelligent non-human creatures and extraterrestrial life in popular culture during the space exploration era.

1947
ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO
33°57'01''N 105°18'51''W

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 62.2 g
Diameter 50 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment -
Mint
MINT XXI

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