WEST AFRICAN STATES

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The note-issuing authority referred to as the West African States is composed of nine republics. Geographically they stretch from the Sahara Desert in northern Africa to the lush coastal areas on the rump of West Africa. Currently their note issues have the same designs which are distinguished by code letters. Several of the member states were formerly part of French West Africa when they were colonial territories.

Click here for notes issued by French West Africa.

Click here for notes issued by Mali as an independent country.

Click here for notes issued by Mauritania as an independent country.

Click here for notes issued by Guinea-Bissau as an independent country.



Different States are identified by a printed code letter on the face of the note: A = Ivory Coast; B = Benin (Dahomey); C = Burkina Faso ;

D = Mali ; E = Mauritania; H = Niger ; K = Senegal ; S = Guinea-Bissau; T = Togo ; No letter for first issue for all states


General Issues without Code Letter: 1958-1959

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. Dated 23.4.1959. Pick 2a. Native women. Mask carving. Much scarcer than later undated issues. About Uncirculated. $450

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. Not Dated. Pick 2b. Native women. Uncirculated. $90


A: Ivory Coast (Code letter "A" on face of note)
1959 - 1965 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. 1961. Pick 101Ac. Native women. Very Fine. $20

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. 1964. Pick 101Ad. Native women. About Uncirculated. $65

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. 1964. Pick 101Ad. Native women. Uncirculated. $110

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. 20.3.1961. Pick 101Ae. Native women. Very Fine - Extremely Fine. $40

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. Not Dated. Pick 101Ag. Native women. Very Fine - Extremely Fine. $25

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. Not Dated. Pick 101Ag. Native women. Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated. $35

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. No Date, signature 5. Pick 102Ae. Harvesters, native mask. Gem Uncirculated. $300

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1,000 Fr. Dated 20.3.1961. Pick 103Ac. Native couple. Rope bridge. About Uncirculated, corner bumps. $150

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1,000 Fr. Not Dated. Pick 103Ae. Native couple. Rope bridge. Extremely Fine. $75

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1,000 Fr. 1980. Signature 12. Pick 103Am. Native couple. Rope bridge. Uncirculated. $150

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1,000 Fr. 1980. Signature 13. Pick 103An. Native couple. Rope bridge. Uncirculated. $150

1977 - 1981 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1987. Pick 106Ak. Long horn cattle. Uncirculated. $35

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5,000 Fr. 1977. Pick 108Aa. Fishing boats. PMG Exremely Fine 40. $125

1991 - 1992 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1994. Pick 110Ad. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 2002. Pick 110Am. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 1992. Pick 111Ab. Peanut workers. Pastels. Uncirculated. $20

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 2002. Pick 111Ak. Peanut workers. Pastels. Uncirculated. $30

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 1992. Pick 113Aa. Women with pottery. Pastels. Faint handling, About Uncirculated. $38

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 10,000 Fr. 1992. Pick 114Aa, signature 25. Headman with sceptre. Woman crosses vine bridge. Pastels. Uncirculated. $60

2003 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 2003. Pick 115Aa. Camels. Uncirculated. $9

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 2000 Fr. 2003. Pick 116Aa. Transportation modes. Fish. Uncirculated. $15

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 2003. Pick 117Aa. Kobus Kob (Antelope). About Uncirculated. $30

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 2003. Pick 117Aa. Kobus Kob (Antelope). Uncirculated. $45


B: Benin (Dahomey) (Code letter "B" on face of note)
1959 - 1965 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. Dated 20.3.1961. Pick 201Bb. Native women. About Uncirculated. $225

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. Dated 2.3.1965. Pick 201Be. Native women. Uncirculated. $250

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. Not Dated. Pick 201Bf. Native women. Uncirculated, faint handling. $225

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. Dated 20.3.1961. Pick 202Bc. Harvest scene. Mask carving. Very Fine. $375

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. No Date. Pick 202Bg. Harvest scene. Mask carving. About Uncirculated. $110

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. Not Dated. Pick 203Bk. Native couple. About Uncirculated. $600

1977 - 1981 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1984. Pick 206Bg. Long-horned cattle. Uncirculated. $50

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 1982. Pick 208Bf. Fishermen. Uncirculated. $350

1991 - 1992 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 2001. Pick 210Bm. Hydroelectric dam. Pastels. Uncirculated. $30

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 2001. Pick 213Bk. Woman with cowrie shell hairdo/Market scene. Pastels. Uncirculated. $75

2003 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 2003. Pick 215Ba. Camels. Uncirculated. $15


C: Burkina Faso (Code letter "C" on face of note)
1959 - 1965 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. 1965 Pick 301Cf. Native woman. Tiny margin break. PMG About Uncirculated 55. $60

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. 1965 Pick 301Cf. Native woman. PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58 EPQ. $85

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1965. Pick 302Cg. Harvest scenes. PMG About Uncirculated 55EPQ. $125

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1977. Pick 302Cm. Harvest scenes. Uncirculated. $100

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 1977. Pick 303Cm. Native couple. About Uncirculated. $125

1977 - 1981 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. Not Dated. Pick 306Cg. Long horn cattle. Uncirculated. $40

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 1981. Pick 307Cb. Strip mining. PMG Choice About Uncirculated 58. $60

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 1981. Pick 308Cf. Fishermen. Uncirculated. $350

1991 - 1992 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 2002. Pick 310Cm. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 1992. Pick 313Ca. Native women with pottery. Pastels. Uncirculated. $75

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 10,000 Fr. 1998. Pick 314Cg. Oil rig workers/Woman crosses rope bridge. Uncirculated. $125

2003 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 2003. Pick 315Ca. Camels. Uncirculated. $8


D: Mali (Code letter "D" on face of note) Click here for notes issued by Mali as an independent nation.
1977 - 1981 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 1981-92. Pick 406Db. Strip mining. Native sculpts wooden art. About Uncirculated. $50

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 10,000 Fr. 1981-92. Pick 408Db. Native art. Uncirculated. $125

1991 - 1992 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1993. Pick 410Dc. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 2003. Pick 410Dn. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

2003 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 2003. Pick 415Da. Mask, school works/Camels. Uncirculated. $10


E: Mauritania (Code letter "E" on face of note) Click here for notes issued by Mauritania as an independent nation.


H: Niger (Code letter "H" on face of note)
1959 - 1965 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. No Date. Pick 603Hn. Native couple. Rope bridge. About Uncirculated. $450

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 1965. Pick 604Hd. Bearded man. Woman watches corn grinder. Very Fine. $600

1977 - 1981 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 1985. Pick 608Hj. Native art. Fishermen at work. Uncirculated. $400

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 1987. Pick 608Hl. Native art. Fishermen at work. Uncirculated. $395

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 10,000 Fr. 1986. Pick 609Hh. Archaic spinning wheels. Pastels. AU - Uncirculated. $250

1991 - 1992 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1994. Pick 610Hd. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1997. Pick 610Hh. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

2003 Designs


K: Senegal (Code letter "K" on face of note)
1959 - 1965 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. 2.12.1964. Pick 701Kd. Native women. Strong Very Fine. $50

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. 1965. Pick 701Kf. Native women. Uncirculated. $135

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1965. Pick 702Ke. Harvesters. Mask carving. Extremely Fine. $225

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1977. Pick 702Km. Signature 11. Harvesters, mask. Gem Uncirculated. $350

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 1959-65. Pick 703Kh. Native couple. Rope bridge. Very Good. $20

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 1959-65. Pick 703Kl. Native couple. Rope bridge. AU - Uncirculated. $195

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 1977. Pick 703Km. Native couple. Rope bridge. PMG About Uncirculated 55. $175

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 1980. Pick 703Ko. Native couple. Rope bridge. About Uncirculated. $135

1977 - 1981 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1984. Pick 706Kg. Long-haired cattle. Uncirculated. $35

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 10,000 Fr. 1991. Pick 709Kl. Archaic spinning wheels. Pastels. About Uncirculated. $450

1991 - 1992 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1993. Pick 710Kc. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 2002. Pick 710Km. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 1993. Pick 711Kc. Signature 25. Peanut workers. Pastels. Uncirculated. $40

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 2002. Pick 711Kl. Peanut workers. Pastels. Uncirculated. $35

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 2500 Fr. 1994. Pick 712Kc. Hydroelectric dam, beautiful lady with fancy hairdo. Pastels. Uncirculated. $65

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 1993. Pick 713Kb. Women with pottery. Pastels. Uncirculated. $38

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 2000. Pick 713Kj. Women with pottery. Pastels. Uncirculated. $38

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 2002. Pick 713Kl. Women with pottery. Pastels. Uncirculated. $38

2003 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 2007. Pick 715Ke. Camels. Uncirculated. $20

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 2000 Fr. 2004. Pick 716Ka. Transportation, fish. Uncirculated. $30

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 2000 Fr. 2004. Pick 716Kb. Transportation, fish. Uncirculated. $25

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 5000 Fr. 2007. Pick 717Ke. Kobus Kob (Antelope). Uncirculated. $50

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 10,000 Fr. 2003. Pick 718Kn. Satellite dish. Birds. Uncirculated. $50


S: Guinea - Bissau (Code letter "S" on face of note) Click here for notes issued by Guinea - Bissau as an independent nation.
1991 - 1992 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1997. Pick 910Sb. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1998. Pick 910Sc. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

2003 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 2004. Pick 915Sb. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $10


T: Togo (Code letter "T" on face of note)
1959 - 1965 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 100 Fr. 1965. Pick 801Te. Field workers. Native beauty. Extremely Fine. $60

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1977. Pick 802Tm. Field workers. Native beauty. AU - Uncirculated. $135

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1977. Pick 802Tm. Field workers. Native beauty. Uncirculated. $195

1977 - 1981 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1985. Pick 806Th. Long horn cattle. Uncirculated. $40

1991 - 1992 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1996. Pick 810Tf. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 1999. Pick 810Tj. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 500 Fr. 2002. Pick 810Tm. Native art. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 1998. Pick 811Th. Peanut workers. Pastels. Uncirculated. $45

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 2500 Fr. 1994. Pick 812Tc. Hydroelectric dam, beautiful lady with fancy hairdo. Uncirculated. $65

2003 Designs

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 1000 Fr. 2003. Pick 815Ta. Mask, school works/Camels. Uncirculated. $8

Banque Centrale des Etats de L'Afrique de L'Oest. 10,000 Fr. 2003. Pick 818Ta. Satellite dish, birds of a feather. Uncirculated. $125