Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 200 Francs 2003-2018, KM# 14, West African States
  • 200 Francs 2003-2018, KM# 14, West African States
  • 200 Francs 2003-2018, KM# 14, West African States, 2004: Paris Mint, engraver's initials
  • 200 Francs 2003-2018, KM# 14, West African States, 2004: Paris Mint, mint and privy marks
Description

The Central Bank of West African States is a central bank serving the eight west African countries which share the common West African CFA franc currency and comprise the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA): Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

Concept of on the reverse of 50, 100, 200, 250 & 500 Francs coins: the denomination is surrounded by agriculture produce.

Obverse

Depicts a stylized sawfish, denomination and the bank's name. Engraver's initials (RJ) are only for the 2004 Paris Mint issue on the bottom left.

Sawfishes, also known as carpenter sharks, are a family of rays characterized by a long, narrow, flattened rostrum, or nose extension, lined with sharp transverse teeth, arranged in a way that resembles a saw. They are among the largest fish with some species reaching lengths of about 7 m (23 ft). They are found worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions in coastal marine and brackish estuarine waters, as well as freshwater rivers and lakes.

The Central Bank of the West African States chose a stylized sawfish to appear on coins and banknotes of the CFA currency due to its mythological value representing fecundity and prosperity. The image takes its form from an Akan and Baoule bronze weight used for exchanges in the commercial trade of gold powder.

Engraver: Raymond Joly (RJ)

BANQUE CENTRALE DES ETATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST

Reverse

Denomination in Franc CFA (Franc of the Financial Community of Africa), surrounded by agricultural elements (maize, bananas, etc.) representing the region's primary resources. The inscription "West African Monetary Union" is above, and the issue date is surrounded by bars (Royal Mint) or by privy and mint marks (Paris mint, the 2004 issue only) below.

Mint mark of the Paris Mint (Monnaie de Paris in Pessac): Cornucopia (horn of plenty)
Privy mark of the General Engraver of the Paris Mint: Hunting horn with a wave and a fish (Hubert Larivière)

Engraver: Matthew Bonaccorsi

UNION MONÉTAIRE OUEST AFRICAINE
200
FCFA
2005

Edge

200 Francs

KM# 14 Schön# 24
Characteristics
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Cupronickel
Center Brass
Weight 7 g
Diameter 24.5 mm
Thickness 2.1 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mints
Paris Mint (A)
Royal Mint

Related coins

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Nickel, 7 g, ⌀ 26 mm