Gazelle West African States Authentic Coin Ashanti Charm 5 Francs for Jewelry and Craft Making
The back of the coin bears the head of a gazelle, with the date of mintage below.
The front of the coin bears an Ashanti gold weight dividing the coin's value.
Features
Issuer Western African States
Period Central Bank of West African States (1958-date)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1965-2020
Value 5 Francs CFA
5 XOF = 0.0088 USD
Currency CFA franc (1958-date)
Composition Aluminium-nickel-bronze
Weight 3 g
Diameter 20 mm
Thickness 1.45 mm
Shape Round
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Number N# 828
References KM# 2a, Schön# 11a
From Wikipedia:
Akan goldweights, (locally known as mrammou), are weights made of brass used as a measuring system by the Akan people of West Africa, particularly for weighing gold dust which was currency until replaced by paper money and coins.
Used to weigh gold and merchandise, at first glance the goldweights look like miniature models of everyday objects. However, this provided merchants with secure and fair-trade arrangements with one another. The status of a man increased significantly if he owned a complete set of weights. Complete small sets of weights were gifts to newly wedded men. This insured that he would be able to enter the merchant trade respectably and successfully.
Beyond their practical application, the weights are miniature representations of West African culture items such as adinkra symbols, plants, animals and people.
