Benin Coins
Benin's official currency is the West African CFA franc, shared with seven other countries in the region. This currency has a fascinating history and has undergone several changes over time, reflecting the economic and political evolution of the country.
Benin's monetary history
Prior to the adoption of the CFA franc, Benin used several different currencies. During the colonial period, the country, then known as Dahomey, used the French franc. After independence in 1960, Benin continued to use the CFA franc, which was introduced in 1945 in the French colonies in Africa. In 1984, Benin officially joined the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), consolidating its use of the CFA franc.
Numismatic milestones in Benin
Benin's numismatics present several interesting aspects. In 1971, the country issued its first commemorative coins to celebrate the tenth anniversary of its independence. In addition, Benin has produced collector coins highlighting its rich culture and history, including series dedicated to African wildlife and important historical figures. A significant milestone was the redenomination of the CFA franc in 1994, when it was devalued by 50% against the French franc, affecting all nations using this currency.
| Country | Benin |
| Flag | |
| Coin | West African CFA franc (XOF) |
| 1€ | 655,90Fr |
| Continent | Africa |
| Capital city | Porto-Novo |
| ISO2 | BJ |
| ISO3 | BEN |
| Catalogued coins | 36 |
If you are a passionate collector, this catalog offers the possibility to create your own personal collection. You can add your coins and generate a free PDF catalog from a complete database and our management tools. In addition, once registered, you will have the opportunity to exchange coins with other collectors around the world easily and free of charge.
The most valuable coins
The most valuable Benin coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:
The valuation of these coins has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.
Coin Catalog
2.500 francs CFA (Abolition of Slavery)
1.000 francs CFA (Preussen sailboat)
200 francs CFA (Acanthopholis)
1.000 francs CFA (Tyrannosaurus Rex)
200 francs CFA (Preussen sailboat)
6.000 francs CFA (Benin Elephant)
1.000 francs CFA (Olympians)
1.000 francs CFA (35th Anniversary of Independence)
500 francs CFA (Soccer World Cup)
200 francs CFA (50th Anniversary of the UN)
200 francs CFA (Hansa-Brandenburg)
6.000 francs CFA (50th Anniversary of the UN)
200 francs CFA (Sydney Olympic Games)
1.000 francs CFA (Sydney Olympic Games)
1.000 francs CFA (Iguanodon)
500 francs CFA (Gorch Fock sailboat)
15.000 francs CFA (Crocodile)
1.000 francs CFA (Leif Eriksson-Discoverer of the New World)
1.000 francs CFA (Johannes Gutenberg)
1.500 francs CFA (Fauna)
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of Benin
Can't find what you are looking for? Take a look at our coin finder and speed up your searches within the collections of all collectors, or if you prefer you can search directly in the list of coin collectors and access their profile to see their collections.