Coinage of Réunion

[<k>]

Map of Réunion.

Réunion and its geographical neighbours.

From Wikipedia:

Réunion (previously Île Bourbon) is an overseas department and region of France and an island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and 175 km (109 mi) southwest of Mauritius. As of January 2019, it had a population of 866,506.

The island has been inhabited since the 16th century, when people from France and Madagascar settled there. Slavery was abolished on 20 December 1848 (a date celebrated yearly on the island), after which indentured workers were brought from South India, among other places. The island became an overseas department of France in 1946.

As in France, the official language is French. In addition, the majority of the region's population speaks Réunion Creole.

Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas departments of France. Like the other four overseas departments, it is also one of the 18 regions of France, with the modified status of overseas region, and an integral part of the republic with the same status as Metropolitan France. Réunion is an outermost region of the European Union and, as an overseas department of France, part of the Eurozone.

[<k>]

An aerial view of the island.

[<k>]

Some local scenery.

[<k>]

From Wikipedia:

The French franc circulated on Réunion alone (except for a single coin issue) until 1874, when distinct issues of currency commenced. Initially, notes of the Banque de la Réunion and the Colonial Treasury circulated alongside French currency. In 1896, coins were issued, followed by bank tokens in 1920.

[<k>]

50 francs, 1896.  The attractive obverse design features a helmeted Mercury - also known as Hermes the Messenger.

The reverse states: "Good for 50 cents".

See also: Good for what?.

Image courtesy of numisbids.com.

[<k>]

The only other denomination was the franc, which carried similar designs.

Image courtesy of numisbids.com.

[<k>]

Both coins were also minted in a trial or "essai" version.

[<k>]

A set of hexagonal bank tokens was issued in 1920, with very plain designs.

Image courtesy of numisbids.com.

[<k>]

In 1945 the CFA franc was created. It was adopted in Réunion, and distinct coins were introduced in 1948.

Below you see the "essai version" of the 1 franc coin, dated 1948.

The obverse design showed Marianne, the symbol of France, in a winged Phrygian cap.

The ships in the background indicate that the island is an oversea territory.


The reverse design features sugar cane (top) and vanilla (bottom).

Both designs were by French artist and sculptor Lucien Bazor.


Image courtesy of numisbids.com.

[<k>]

A standard version of the 1 franc coin, dated 1964.

See also: Designs that show ships or boats sailing in the background.

[<k>]

The "essai" version of the 2 francs coin, with similar designs, dated 1948.

Image courtesy of numisbids.com.

[<k>]

Here is a closer view of the reverse of the 2 francs coin, dated 1948.

[<k>]

The 1 and 2 franc coins were made of aluminum, and in 1955 a 5 francs coin was added to the set.

It was also made of aluminum and carried similar designs.

Below you see the "essai" version. The standard version looked just the same, but without the word"ESSAI" on the obverse.

[<k>]

An aluminium-bronze 10 francs coin was also added to the set in 1955.

The reverse design was also by Lucien Bazor.

Below you see the "essai" version. The standard version looked just the same, but without the word"ESSAI" on the obverse.

[<k>]

The standard version of the 10 francs coin, dated 1962.

The motto "Praeter omnes angulus ridet" is derived from Horatio's verse Ille terrarum mihi praeter omnes angulus ridet (Odes, Book II, Ode VI, Verse 13), which can be translated as "Of all the corners of the world, there is none that so charms me".