I won't list every African coin issuing nation because there are just too many but they are the hardest to find in my change. On average I find one every two years. These three that are pictured below were from a coin lot I bought last year.
One from Namibia, the other is from Zimbabwe, and the last is from the West African States.
The last one says in french ETATES DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST or an exact translation of 'States of the Africa of the west'. These are the West African States and consist of eight former French territiories; Senegal, Benin, French Sudan, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, Niger, and Guinea-Bissau.
By 1960 all these country became independent but they continued the practice of sharing a common monetary system. Not to be confused with the earlier coins of French West Africa made before 1960.
Some curious observations:- All have animal theme reverses.
- One is a FAO issue coin.
- The lot contained 17 of these exact West African States coins.
- All the West African States coins were near perfect.
- All have "5" in the denomination.
Type/Country: 5 Cents / Namibia
Year: 2000(1999)
Mintage: Not known.
Metal: Stainless Steel
Value: $0.50 in XF, $1.00 in UNC
Type/Country: 5 Cents / Zimbabwe
Year: 1980
Mintage: Not known.
Metal: Copper-Nickel
Value: $0.15 in VF
Type/Country: 5 Francs / West African States
Year: 1975
Mintage: 16,840,000
Metal: Aluminum-Nickel-Bronze
Value: $0.70 in UNC, $1.00 in BU
None of these coins are obsolete, as far as I know, but they are used seldom and some reports are that stop being accepted in most markets. The news has been all over the Zimbabwe billion dollar notes but as of last week due to inflation every $50 Billion dollars is worth $0.33 in U.S. currency.
That being said some people are getting rich selling these notes at $50.00 a piece on eBay. It seems wrong seeing how the most sellers are buying them directly from the bank and not the people.
Update: According to allAfrica.com in Zimbabwe the current value of a $10 billion dollar note is $1.00. So that $50 billion dollar note is now $5.00.
Even better is that all coins from 1980 to present is now face value. There highest circulating coin was $2.00 some $10.00 collectors proof were made.
Do you have an African coin and want to know its value? Leave a comment/question and I will do my best to find out the price and history for you.
