Gabon Banknotes Catalog

The history of banknotes in Gabon reflects the economic and political evolution of this African country. Since its independence in 1960, Gabon has undergone significant changes in its currency, moving from the CFA franc of French Equatorial Africa to the current issue of the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).

Current banknotes in circulation

Gabon currently uses the Central African CFA franc, shared with five other countries in the region. Banknotes in circulation are issued by the BEAC and come in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 CFA francs. These banknotes feature modern designs with cultural and natural elements representative of the member countries, including images of Gabonese fauna and flora.

Historical banknotes of Gabon

Prior to monetary unification, Gabon issued its own banknotes. An important milestone was the 1971 series of banknotes, which included denominations of 500, 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 CFA francs. These banknotes were notable for their depictions of Gabonese life and culture, such as scenes from the timber industry and portraits of President Omar Bongo. The transition to the current BEAC system marked the end of these national issues, but these old banknotes are still highly prized by collectors as a testimony to Gabon's numismatic history.