elf Equatorial African States 50 Francs 1961 Antelope ESSAI

Description

KM E 3, the Essai striking of KM 3, one year type, from an unusual location. French Equatorial Africa was a monetary union of four French territories--Middle Congo, Ubangi-Shari, Chad and Gabon. French Cameroun was added to the monetary union in 1958. The first four countries gained their independence in 1960 (as the Congo, Central African Republic, Chad and Gabon) and formed the monetary union of the Equatorial African States; Cameroon joined them in 1961. Half dollar size copper-nickel coin, with three Giant Eland on the obverse.  Coin only.
Long ago, an annual assay meeting was held, for specific individuals to test the precious metal content of the gold and silver coins of a country, to verify that the mints were including the proper amounts of the precious metals in the coinage. Of course, this meeting had little value when the precious metals were no longer used in the circulating coinage, but the Assay formalities continued as a political function regardless of their usefulness. For the Paris Mint in particular, a long series of the coins of France and her related countries have been issued, marked ESSAI for this meeting.
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