One banknote for eight countries: the CFA franc of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) circulates throughout the West African Economic and Monetary Union, and only the letter at the start of the serial number reveals the issuing country. The themes of the 2003 range, in the bank's own words, express the spirit of openness and solidarity among the union's states.

On the obverse the main motif is the sawfish, the BCEAO logo and a symbol of fertility and prosperity in African mythologies; in the 2003 range it took the place of the former portrait. The theme of the front: health and education: a pharmacy caduceus and a medical cross, and beside them books, a slate and a globe. The reverse shows a pair of dromedaries in a Sahelian zone.

The note is in circulation since 15 December 2003 — the third and final stage of the renewal of the BCEAO range. The most interesting security features are watermarks — the bank's logo, the sawfish, and the value in figures; and a see-through number — the value is printed at the upper left of the front and the upper right of the back, and against the light the halves combine into a whole figure.

BCEAO CFA francs are collected by issuing-country letter, year and signature: one denomination of the range can have eight country letters, each a separate item in a collection. UNC condition means the note has never circulated: no folds, no wear, no soiling, even corners — just as it left the press.

VPcoins specialises in coins and banknotes, so do take a look at the other items in our catalogue.