1000 francs 1978
“Togo”
About This Note
This is a 1000 Francs banknote from the West African States (Togo), issued in 1978 by the Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. The note displays excellent artistic composition with dual portraits on the obverse and a bearded male figure surrounded by tropical scenery on the reverse, featuring cotton plants and a traditional dwelling. In AU condition, this circulated example shows expected age-related patina including light foxing and discoloration, yet retains strong visual appeal and excellent detail definition—characteristic of a well-preserved mid-grade example from the 1970s West African currency series.
Common. The 1000 Francs denomination in this 1978 issue represents standard circulation currency for the West African States. While notes from 1978 have aged and reduced quantities remain in AU condition, the BCEAO 1000 Francs notes were produced in substantial quantities for regular commerce across Togo and other member states. No evidence of limited print runs, recall, or short-lived issuance exists for this Pick number. AU-condition examples appear regularly in the secondary market and typically trade within modest price ranges ($15–40 USD), consistent with common banknote classification.
The 1000 Francs note represents the post-colonial monetary identity of West African States during a period of economic and political consolidation in the late 1970s. The reverse imagery—prominently featuring cotton plants, palm fronds, and a traditional hut—reflects the economic foundations of Togo and neighboring West African nations, emphasizing agricultural wealth and cultural heritage. The dual portrait composition on the obverse symbolizes unity and cooperation among the member states of the monetary union, a theme central to the BCEAO's institutional mission.
The obverse features a dual portrait composition with a bare-chested male figure (left) and an elaborately adorned female figure (right), both rendered in profile facing right—representative of West African ethnographic iconography. The left margin displays an ornamental geometric pattern within a vertical rectangular frame featuring diamond and cross-hatching in gold, pink, and brown tones, serving as a decorative security element. The right margin features an intricate botanical vignette with tropical flora typical of the West African region. The reverse showcases a single male portrait (bearded, facing left) integrated within an expansive tropical landscape scene dominated by cotton plants with bolls, palm fronds, flowering vegetation, and a traditional architectural structure (hut or dwelling) in the middle distance—all rendered in earth tones and greens. Decorative geometric borders with diamond and triangular motifs in gold and brown frame both sides. The overall color palette employs cream, beige, gold, brown, green, and black engraving on fine security paper.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANQUE CENTRALE DES ÉTATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST' (Central Bank of West African States); 'LE PRÉSIDENT DU CONSEIL DES MINISTRES,' (The President of the Council of Ministers,); 'LE GOUVERNEUR,' (The Governor,); 'MILLE FRANCS' (One Thousand Francs); Denomination: '1000' (appears twice); Serial number: '470083746'; Identifier code: 'A.189 T'. BACK SIDE: 'BANQUE CENTRALE DES ÉTATS DE L'AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST' (Central Bank of West African States); 'FAUX LES AUTEURS OU COMPLICES DE FALSIFICATION OU DE CONTREFAÇON DE BILLETS DE BANQUE SERONT PUNIS CONFORMÉMENT AUX LOIS ET ACTES EN VIGUEUR.' (Those guilty of or complicit in the falsification or counterfeiting of banknotes will be punished in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.); Denomination: '1000' (appears twice).
Intaglio (engraved line) printing on security paper, characteristic of BCEAO notes from this period. The fine detail definition visible in the portraits, geometric patterns, and botanical elements indicates professional security printing. The ornamental patterns and landscape vignettes demonstrate the anti-counterfeiting measures typical of 1970s French-influenced West African currency design. The precision of the serial numbers and identifier codes suggests rotogravure or similar advanced intaglio techniques. The printer for Pick 803T notes was the Banque de France's security printing facility (ABNC or similar French government printer).
Identifier code 'A.189 T' indicates this note is from the Togo variety (T suffix). Serial number 470083746 is specimen-specific. The 'A' prefix on the identifier suggests a particular printing series within the 1978 emission. Known varieties for Pick 803T include different signature combinations representing terms of the President of the Council of Ministers and the Governor. The variety designation reflects the multi-signatory structure of BCEAO governance. No overprints or secondary modifications are evident on this example.
