Burkina Faso token

Started by Harald, May 11, 2008, 02:29:36 PM

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Harald

Unknown token: Diameter 19mm, weight 2.9g, reeded edge, copper (?, not magnetic)

It is undated, but the coat of arms were in use 1984-1997, so the piece should have
been produced during that time.

Any idea what it was used for ?

Cheers
--
Harald


http://www.liganda.ch (monetary history & numismatic linguistics)

Figleaf

#1
Very interesting piece. I have never seen it before and haven't found it on the web, so I can only speculate. Striking details are the official "look", the denomination (I presume 100 CFA francs) and the use of a relatively expensive metal. I presume, the token was struck outside the country, as it doesn't have its own mint. It may have been struck in Eastern Europe. In order of decreasing likeliness:

- military money. Used to sell subsidized goods to the military or for use in military canteens
- prison money. Used to make sure inmates would have no current money on escaping (but who needs money when food is growing in the jungle?)
- telephone token (but why the denomination?

Maybe I am reading too much into this, but the star is not a feature of French colonial coins. You see it most on the coins of Ghana. It does occur on the Burkinabé flag, though. It gives the peace an "anti-French" feeling.

I hope others can help more. What's the diameter of this piece?

Peter
An unidentified coin is a piece of metal. An identified coin is a piece of history.

Harald

The diameter is 19mm.

I also thought of an armed forces' token because of the large star.

My other idea was that it is a mock piece to fool collectors, but then it probably
would come in masses (and depict some cute animal or so, not a boring coat of arms).

Cheers
--
Harald
http://www.liganda.ch (monetary history & numismatic linguistics)

Marcisharki

Hello Harald,

your Bukina Faso token is very interesting ! On the front, the star from the Bukinabe flag with "100" (like Peter, I also  presume 100 CFA) and on the reverse a part of the former coat of arms which shows a cog-wheel and a star to represent the revolution of 1984. Within the cog-wheel is a hoe representing agriculture, crossed with a Kalashnikov rifle symbolizing the willingness to defend the country and a book reflecting the importance of education. They are placed together to represent the alliance of workers, soldiers and intellectuals. On the "real" former coat of arms there is also a   a motto in the scroll at the base  - La Patrie Ou La Mort - Nous Vaincrons (Our country or death — We will conquer). I presume it was minted in 1984 when the countrys name was changed from Upper Volta to Bukina Faso. As it has no date and no abbreviation for a currency, I could also imagine that this "token" could be a trial strike for a coin which never came into circulation !  :o

best wishes

Marcisharki
A token a day keeps the Doctor away !