5 francs 1942

Common. The 1942 French West African 5 francs (Pick 28a(1)) was issued in substantial quantities by the Banque de l'Afrique Occidentale during its circulation period. While uncirculated examples in pristine condition are less frequently encountered than circulated specimens, this denomination and year remain standard catalog items with regular availability in the collector market. No evidence suggests limited print runs, recall programs, or exceptional scarcity for this specific Pick number.

Issued on December 14, 1942, during World War II when French West Africa was under Vichy French administration, this banknote reflects the colonial economic structure and the Bank of West Africa's role in regional finance. The prominent portrait of an African woman in traditional regalia was a deliberate design choice symbolizing the cultural identity of French West Africa, while the threatening counterfeit warning on the reverse (Article 139 of the Penal Code) underscores the security concerns of wartime currency. The Philadelphia printing by E.A. Wright Bank Note Company demonstrates the continued reliance on American security printers even during the war years.

The obverse features a carefully composed profile portrait of an African woman facing left, her identity representative of West African ethnic groups under French colonial rule. She wears elaborate traditional jewelry including a prominent beaded necklace, decorative earrings, and an ornate head covering with geometric patterns. The composition uses a cream and tan central field flanked by dark gray-black borders on top and bottom, creating strong visual contrast. Ornamental circular denominations marked '5' appear in the upper corners with elaborate rococo-style frames, while decorative corner pieces with cross symbols anchor the bottom margins. The back side employs a dark red/maroon border enclosing a cream-white central area, with a dominant scalloped ornamental frame containing the denomination '5' as the focal point. Both sides feature repeating text patterns in the background serving as a security measure, with fine cross-hatching detail throughout reflecting high-quality intaglio engraving.

FRONT: 'BANQUE DE L'AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE' (Bank of West Africa), 'CINQ FRANCS' (Five Francs), 'LE SECRÉTAIRE GÉNÉRAL' (The General Secretary), 'LE CONTRÔLEUR GÉNÉRAL' (The General Controller), signatures of Vanumy and J. Kottis, printer identification 'E. A. WRIGHT BANK NOTE CO., PHILA.' (E.A. Wright Bank Note Company, Philadelphia), serial number 0804882. BACK: 'BANQUE DE L'AFRIQUE OCCIDENTALE' (Bank of West Africa), '5' and 'CINQ FRANCS' (Five Francs) in elaborate scalloped frame, '14 DÉCEMBRE 1942' (14 December 1942), 'L'ARTICLE 139 DU CODE PÉNAL PUNIT DES TRAVAUX FORCÉS A PERPÉTUITÉ LE CONTREFACTEUR' (Article 139 of the Penal Code punishes the counterfeiter with forced labor for life), printer mark 'E. A. WRIGHT BANK NOTE CO., PHILA.'

Intaglio engraving (also called recess printing or steel engraving), as evidenced by the fine line work, detailed portraiture, repeating security text patterns, and pronounced cross-hatching visible throughout both sides. The note was produced by E.A. Wright Bank Note Company of Philadelphia, a renowned American security printer specializing in banknote production. The combination of multiple engraved plates (one for each color layer and side) with careful registration is evident from the crisp denomination markers and decorative borders.

This example is identified as variety P-28a(1) with serial number prefix 'P' and specimens numbered 0804882. The signatures present are those of Vanumy (General Secretary) and J. Kottis (General Controller). The December 14, 1942 date is consistent with the official issue date for this series. Varieties for this Pick number typically relate to signature combinations and printer marks; the E.A. Wright printing is a primary identifying characteristic of this variety.