1000 francs 1965

Common. The 1965 West African States 1000 francs note was produced in substantial quantities as part of the regional central bank's standard circulation currency. No evidence of limited print runs, special recalls, or scarcity. UNC examples exist in reasonable supply in the collector market, and this Pick number represents a routine issue from the currency's introductory period.

Issued during the early post-colonial period in West Africa, this 1965 note represents the newly established regional central bank's efforts to create a unified currency for member states. The obverse features paired male and female portraits with elaborate headdresses and ornamental vessels, while the reverse emphasizes the region's economic foundations through detailed depictions of cotton plants, pineapples, tropical vegetation, and traditional maritime activity—all symbols of West African agricultural and commercial wealth during this developmental era.

The obverse presents two portrait busts in profile facing right: a bearded male figure in the foreground and an elaborate female figure with ornamental headdress and earrings positioned behind him, rendered in brown sepia tones against a cream background. The left side features a decorative ornamental urn with geometric diamond patterns in pink and gold, symbolizing artistic heritage. The right side displays stylized tropical vegetation with large feathered palm fronds in green, brown, and tan. The reverse showcases a male bust in three-quarter view facing left, surrounded by detailed botanical engraving depicting cotton plants with bolls, pineapple fruits, and tropical flora, with a traditional canoe or boat scene in the background landscape. All sides feature elaborate geometric borders and ornamental patterns in gold/orange tones. The warm peachy-orange reverse background contrasts elegantly with the cream obverse.

FRONT: 'Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest' (Central Bank of West African States) / 'Mille Francs' (One Thousand Francs) / 'Le Président du Conseil des Ministres' (The President of the Council of Ministers) / 'Le Gouverneur' (The Governor) / Serial numbers: W.190 A, 474966550, 66550 / Denomination: 1000. BACK: 'Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest' (Central Bank of West African States) / Denomination: 1000 / 'Les auteurs du complices de falsification ou de contrefaçon de billets de banque seront punis conformément aux lois et actes en vigueur' (Those responsible for complicity in falsification or counterfeiting of banknotes shall be punished in accordance with applicable laws and acts).

Intaglio engraving on banknote paper, characteristic of high-security currency production by the Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. The note exhibits fine line work, detailed portrait engraving, and complex botanical patterns typical of European security printers contracted for WAEMU currency production during this period. Watermark areas are visible in the center of both sides.

This note is cataloged as P-103Am, denoting Code Letter 'A' (identified in serial designation W.190 A). The PMG Population Report identifies three 'A' code variants (P-103Ab, P-103Ac, P-103As), suggesting multiple printings or signature combinations within the 'A' series. The serial number 474966550 and signature configuration 'W.190 A' should be used to distinguish this specific printing variant. The 1965 date and Ivory Coast collector notation indicate this is from the initial issue period of the unified West African currency system.