The West African States, comprising members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), have a unified currency, the West African CFA franc (XOF), introduced in 1945. Before this, the region used various colonial currencies, including the French franc and local trade tokens. The CFA franc was established to facilitate economic integration and stability among member countries.
The coins currently in circulation include denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 250, and 500 francs. Their designs reflect the region's shared heritage and natural beauty. The obverse features a denomination within a mixture of beans, grains, and nuts. The reverse typically showcases the emblem of the Central Bank of West African States.
These coins are made from a mix of nickel, brass, and steel, providing durability while keeping production costs manageable. Inflation and currency reforms over the years have phased out smaller denominations, with higher-value coins like the 200- and 500-franc pieces becoming more prevalent in daily transactions.
