342) Currency
of the Comoros Islands: Comorian Franc and Centimes:
About
the Comoros Archipelago:
The Comoros is a sovereign
volcanic archipelago off Africa’s East coast in the Indian Ocean waters off the
Mozambique Channel. The Nation State’s largest island, Grande-Comore (Ngazidja)
is ringed by beaches and old lava from the active volcano – Mt. Karthala. Near
Comoros lies Tanzania to the northwest and Seychelles to the North East. The
major islands are still known by their French names – Grande–Comore
(Ngazidja), Moheil (Mwali), Anjouan
(Nzani) and Mayotte (Maore) – whose sovereignty is still under dispute
and is presently, French
occupation/administration).
The capital of the Comoros
is Moroni located on Grande Comore. With a population of about 800,000, it has
a predominantly Arab heritage which is evident on its intricately carved doors
and the white colonnaded “Ancienne
Mosquee du Vendredi”.
The archipelago has a
diverse culture and history.
Initially, it was
inhabited by the Bantu people from East Africa, followed by Aram and
Australasian immigration.
According to a pre-Islamic
myth, a “Djinn” (spirit) dropped a
jewel, which formed a great circular inferno, which gave rise to the
Karthala volcano, molten lava flows from which formed the archipelago of Comoros.
There is an abundance of life in the sea around the Comoros. One can find everything from giant whales, sharks, big manta rays, sailfish, sunfish to lobsters, crabs and shrimp. Deep water close to the islands, coral reefs, miles of sandy beaches, fresh water streams ans shoreline springs provide multiple habitats for marine life.
There is an abundance of life in the sea around the Comoros. One can find everything from giant whales, sharks, big manta rays, sailfish, sunfish to lobsters, crabs and shrimp. Deep water close to the islands, coral reefs, miles of sandy beaches, fresh water streams ans shoreline springs provide multiple habitats for marine life.
Early trade
from the Comoros was with the Muslim traders, sailors and merchants frequenting
the Islamic Trade Routes, particularly from Oman and Zanzibar came to the
archipelago searching for coral, ambergris, ivory, tortoiseshell, gold and
slaves. They also set up mosques in several places, as trade increased.
From the 9th
to 10th Century AD, each inhabited island consisted of a single
village.
From the 11th
to 15th Centuries, trade with the island of Madagascar and
merchants from the Middle-East brought about development and expansion into
satellite village and towns. As such, many indigenous people claim descent from
the people of Yemen and Oman.
In 1503, the
Portuguese explorers were the first Europeans to arrive in the Archipelago
having heard about the trade from the Comoros. By the time of their arrival,
the Islanders were well placed to take advantage of the Europeans requirements
with goods and slaves for their plantations. Indigenous commodities exported
were coconuts, cattle and tortoiseshell.
French settlers,
French-owned companies and wealthy Arab merchants established a
plantation-based economy that used up one-third of the land for export crops.
The Comoros by now had
developed into a “way station” for merchants sailing to the Far East and India
until the opening of the Suez Canal significantly reduced shipping traffic
passing through the Mozambique Channel.
In 1886, at the
instance of its Sultan Mardjani Abdou Cheikh, the Comoros archipelago came
under French protection and became a part of the French Colonial Empire. In
return, the French were to support his claim to the entire islands under him.
The Islands were unified
under a single administration (Colonie
de Mayotte et dependances) and placed under the The French set up sugar
plantations in Mayotte (an island that they administer to the present day). In
other islands, they set up major crop plantations of ylang-ylang, vanilla,
coffee, cocoa beans and sisal.
In 1890, coins
denominated in Francs and Centimes, which were inscribed entirely in Arabic,
were minted and circulated.
In 1909, Sultan
Said Muhamed of Anjouan abdicated in favour of French rule.
In 1912, the Colony
and the Protectorates were abolished and the Islands became a province of the
colony of Madagascar, which was under French control.
In 1945, the
Comoros became a separate French territory.
Formerly, the Comoros was
a dependency of Madagascar and achieved its self-government only in 1961.
From
1964, the Comoros issued its own coins but with an effigy of Marianne, the
French “Lady Liberty” and palm trees. The inscription on these coins was still
“REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE” with the year of issue “1964”.
Obverse of a coin issued in 1964, showing Marianne facing left with the Cornucopia mint mark of the "Monnaie de Paris" on both sides of the year of issue
Obverse of a coin issued in 1964, showing Marianne facing left with the Cornucopia mint mark of the "Monnaie de Paris" on both sides of the year of issue
In 1973, an
agreement was signed with France for the Comoros to become
independent in 1978. Referendum was held
and three Islands voted in favour of Independence, while Mayotte voted
in favour of staying a French colony.
Meanwhile, on 06.07.1975,
the Comorian Parliament passed a unilateral resolution declaring their
Independence from the French and the Comoros became a Federal Islamic
Republic and introduced coins
inscribed in Arabic and French with the four stars and crescent emblem with
pictorial Reverses.
Since its Independence,
the country has faced around 20 coups d’état or attempted coups, with
assassinations of various Heads of state. The country has a vast income
inequality, with almost half the population lives below the International
Poverty Line.
The Republic/Union of
Comoros has three official languages – Comorian or “Shikomori”, Arabic and French. A Malagasy language – Kibushi – is also spoken by about
one-third of the people of Comoros. About
98% of the population is Muslim.
The
Comorian Franc:
The Franc is the official
currency of Comoros, subdivided into 100 Centimes.
In 1886, the French
Franc became the currency of the Comoros when the Islands became a French
Protectorate.
In 1891, Sultan
said Ali Bin Said Omar of Grande Comore, Ngazidja issued coins denominated in
Francs and Centimes to circulate alongside the French currency in the Comoros.
In 1912, when the
Comoros became a province of Madagascar, which was under French control, French
Banknotes began circulating in the Colony.
In 1920, an
emergency issue of small change Banknotes was resorted to, for circulating
alongside the French currency.
Till 1925,
thereafter, the French currency circulated on a standalone basis.
On 01.07.1925, the
French government authorised the “Banque
de Paris et des Pays-Bas” to create the “Banque de Madagascar” which had its headquarters in
Paris. Under its charter, the “Banque de Madagascar” was authorised to
issue the “Malagasy Franc” or the “Franc
Malgache” (in French) which was at par with the French Franc, which
circulated in Madagascar.
In 1945, when the
Comoros became a separate French territory, the name of the issuing Bank was
changed to the “Banque de Madagascar
et des Comoros”.
In 1953, a Branch
office was opened in Comoros. While the Banknotes were changed to depict the
new status of the Comoros, which were now titled “Madagascar Comoros CFA
Franc”, the coins still bore the name of Madagascar only.
In 1950, the French
Government took complete majority control of the “Banque de Madagascar et des Comores”.
On 26.06.1960, Madagascar gained its Independence from France
and the “Institut d’Emission Malgache”,
with its Headquarters in Antananarivo was set up to issue currency for
Madagascar only.
On 01.07.1973,
Madagascar left the CFA zone.
On 23.11.1979,
Comoros executed an agreement with the French government – the “Accord de cooperation monetaire entre la
Republique Francaise et la Republique federale islamique des Comores”,
which made the Comoros a part of the Franc Zone, but not a part of the CFA
Franc Zone.
Until 1994, the
Comorian Franc was pegged to the French Franc at an exchange rate of 50
Comorian Francs to 1 French Franc.
In January 1999,
the creation of the Euro led to the Comorian Franc being pegged at the
prevailing rate to the Euro.
The
Central Bank of the Comoros or “Banque
Centrale des Comores”:
In 1981, the
Central Bank of the Comoros or “Banque
Centrale des Comores” (BCC) was established with its headquarters in
Moroni.
The Central Bank of the
Comores, apart from its monetary regulation functions and supervising the issue
of circulating currency, also approves the establishment of new Banks on all
three islands of the Union of Comoros – Grande-Comore, Anjouan and Moheil.
Presently, six Banks
operate in the Comoros – the “Banque
pour et pour le Commerce-Comores” (BIC-C), the “Banque de Developpement des Comores”
(BDC), the “Banque Federale de
Commerce” (BFC), the Exim Bank of Comores Ltd. and the “Societe Nationale des Postes et des
Services Financiers” (SNPSF), in addition to two mutual savings banks –
SANDUK and MECK.
Coins
of the Comoros:
In 1890, coins in
the denominations of 5 and 10 Centimes (both in Bronze) and 5 Francs (Silver)
were issued for circulation in the Comoros, all struck in Paris with the same
specifications as the corresponding French coins. All three denominations bore
similar inscriptions, including the date “1308 AH” (corresponding to the
Gregorian calendar years “1890/91 AD”.
In 1912, all three
coin denominations ceased to be legal tender, nevertheless, the bronze coins of
5 and 10 Centimes were occasionally used by the public till 1930.
Interestingly, in the 1920s,
a shortage of coins led to “private tokens” (made of Aluminium and/or
Bronze) being issued by the principal colonial company on Ngazidja and a sugar
plantation on Mayotte, in the denominations of 25 and 50 Centimes and 1 and 2
Francs.
In 1964, coins were
introduced in the denominations of 1, 2 and 5 Francs (all denominations in
Aluminium) and 10 and 20 Francs (both denominations in Aluminium Bronze)
specifically for circulation in the Comoros, replacing the Madagascar coins
earlier in circulation.
In 1975, 50 Francs
coins (Nickel) were circulated.
An image of the 50 Francs coin issued in 1975. It shows the denomination of the coin "50 Francs" in the centre, the year of issue as 1975, the cornucopia mint mark of the "Monnaie de Paris" on both sides of the year of issue. The coin has been issued by the "INSTITUT D'EMISSION DES COMORES". On top is the crescent emblem with the four arrowheads pointing inwards
In 1977, 100 Francs
coins (Nickel) were introduced.
In this 100 Francs coin issued in 1977, the emblem has changed to a crescent with four stars, which is still used present day
Between
1975 and 1977, the “Institut d’Emission des Comores” issued the general
circulation coins.
In 1981, 25 Francs
coins (Nickel) were issued.
Since
1981, the Central Bank of the Comoros or “Banque Centrale des Comores” (BCC)
has been issuing coins meant for general circulation.
After 1990, the
metallic composition on Nickel was replaced by Nickel plated Steel.
Minting:
Minting of coins is done
by “Monnaie de Paris” which
has a “Cornucopia mint mark” (a Cornucopia is a symbol of plenty, consisting of
a goat’s horn overflowing with flowers, fruit and corn and sometimes spilling
out coins). The minting takes place the Mint facility at Pessac Gironde.
Nicknames
on the Comoros coins:
The 5 Francs coin is
nicknamed “Reali” (which
refers to the Spanish Real), the 2 Francs coin is nicknamed “Nusu” (meaning “half”), the 1
Franc coin is nicknamed “Robo”
(meaning “quarter”). Coins upto 10 Francs have almost gone out of circulation
because of their almost negligible value.
Presently
circulating coins:
After 2013, Coins
in the denominations of 25, 50 and 100 Francs which are in circulation are being minted in stainless steel and
not in Nickel and nickel plated steel as was being done earlier.
Presently circulating coins
In addition, a new
circulating bimetallic coin in the denomination of 250 Francs has been
introduced which has been in circulation from January 2014 onwards.
Nicknames
on the Comoros coins:
The 5 Francs coin is
nicknamed “Reali” (which
refers to the Spanish Real), the 2 Francs coin is nicknamed “Nusu” (meaning “half”), the 1
Franc coin is nicknamed “Robo”
(meaning “quarter”). Coins upto 10 Francs have almost gone out of circulation
because of their almost negligible value.
Some
Commemorative Coins:
The Coelacanth, a species
of fish that existed 400 million years ago and pre-dated the dinosaurs, was
believed to be extinct log ago, but in 1938, a live specimen was found off the
Comoros.
An ichthyologist learnt
that Comorian fishermen regularly caught coelacanths in the deep waters
surrounding the islands of Ngazidja
(Grand Comore) and Nzwani (Anjouan).
Its discovery put the Comoros at the centre of the scientific world
for a long time. Several specimens have since been preserved and can now be seen in museums around
the world.
In 1984, this
“living fossil” was depicted on a 5 Francs coin of the Comores, to mark the
World Fisheries Conference. The coin carries an inscription “Conference
Mondiale sur les Peches” (meaning “World Conference on Fishing”), which is a
United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) initiative.
This coin
was again issued in 1992.
Gold and Silver coins were
issued as part of the “Comoros Independence Series” depicting Said
Mohamed Cheikh to celebrate the Comores’ Independence.
Banknotes
of the Comoros:
In 1920, the first
Comorian Banknotes were issued, which were in the nature of an emergency issue
of Madagascar postage stamps affixed on cards to uses them as circulation
money. The denominations in circulation were 50 Centimes and 1 Franc.
Thereafter, in 1962,
the “Banque de Madagascar et des
Comores” began issuing Banknotes for the Comoros, after Madagascar began
issuing its own currency.
From 01.04.1962,
Madagascar banknotes over-stamped “COMORES” began circulating in the Comoros.
These Banknotes were in the denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000
Francs.
On 31.12.1964,
Banknotes other than the over-stamped ones ceased to be legal tender.
Until 1976, the
over-stamped Banknotes were in circulation, when 500, 1000 and 5000 Francs
Banknotes were introduced by the “Institut
d’Emission des Comoros”, while the 50 and 100 francs Banknotes were
replaced by coins of similar denominations.
In 1984, the
Central Bank of the Comoros took over issue of paper money in the denominations
of 500, 1,000 and 5,000 Francs.
In 1997, Banknotes
in the denominations of 2,500 and 10,000 Francs were introduced.
On 31.01.2007, the
2,500 denomination Banknotes were demonetised.
Comorian Banknotes are
printed by the “Banque de France”
at their paper mill in Vic-le-Comte and their printing works in Chamalieres,
both in Puy-de-Dome, Auvergne.
Presently
circulating Banknotes (introduced in 2005):
The presently circulating
Banknotes are in the denominations of 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 Francs.
The Front of the 500 Comorian Franc Banknote
On the Front of the 500 Francs or "Cinq Cents Francs" Banknote is depicted
a Lemur in the centre.
Lemur:
Lemurs are primates endemic to the island of Madagascar. The name “Lemur”
derives from the word "lemures”
(meaning “ghosts or spirits”) deriving from Roman mythology and was first used
to describe a slender Loris due to its nocturnal habits and slow pace, but now
applies to the primates of Madagascar. Due to Madagascar’s highly seasonal
climate, lemur evolution has taken place at a high pace in Madagascar.
An image of a Lemur
Before the advent of
humans on the Islands some 2,000 years ago, lemurs could reach a size as large
as a male gorilla. Presently, some 100 species of lemurs have inhabited the
islands of Madagascar and the Comoros. Lemurs were also used in scientific
research because they yielded insights on primate and human evolution.
Nevertheless, due to illegal logging, widespread poverty and habitat
degradation, deforestation etc. the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) has listed almost 90% of all lemur species as the most endangered
mammals.
The extremely popular
animation film Series “Madagascar” estimated to have been viewed by over 300
million people world-wide brought attention to the Lemurs of
Madagascar and nearby Islands, as did a 24-episode series called “Lemur
Kingdom” (in the USA) and “Lemur Kingdom (in the UK and Canada), earlier aired
in 2008 on Animal Planet.
The Back of the 500 Francs Banknote
On the Back of the 500 Francs or "Cinq Cents Francs" Banknote are depicted flowers.
Security
features include a Security Thread, Registration
Device, Watermark of four stars and a crescent moon and EURion
Constellation et al.
The colour of this Banknote is pink, blue, green and
multi-coloured. This banknote was first issued in September 2006.
The Front of the 1000 Francs Banknote
On the Front of the 1,000 Francs or "Mille Francs" Banknote is depicted
a Coelacanth, a pre-historic
fish, long thought to be extinct, but discovered in the waters off Comoros in
1938. Below this piscine curiosity is an aerial
view of several islands in the Comoros Archipelago.
Also seen on the Front
is a verse on the lower left which translates into English as:
“From our feelings, what you expect I
understood
For
it is a love that is so absolutely exclusive
That, not to lose you, I hereby consent,
Truthfully, it will be a love,
That our times have never seen”
(This
verse is continued on the Back of the Banknote)
The Back of the 1000 Francs Banknote
On the Back of the 1,000 Francs or "Mille Francs" Banknote is depicted a Comoron man in a canoe with stylised “ripples” forming
around the canoe, surrounded by red and blue designs of differing character.
The
verse in front is continued at the back as:
“I claim these different names which are
ours
And if I speak the rainbow
It is to better greet our Indian Ocean
sea-mother
Whose waves of pleasures brings
To insularity abundance and joy”
The final line below the
verse identifies the author, Mab Elhad, a Comoron policeman and the book in
which his verse appears: “Kaulu la
Mwando” (meaning “First Word in the Comoron Language”). The book was
first published in 2004 and the verses celebrate his Comoron life and
Nationality.
Security
features: This denomination includes portions of the
design printed in intaglio, imparting a tactile element to the raised ink,
along with the latent image created by the BCC embossed above the signatures.
Registration Device, Micro-text, inclusion of Omron Rings, Watermark of
four stars and a crescent moon and EURion Constellation et al. The
Banknote contains an iridescent Band on the Front that can be seen only when
the Banknote is tilted at an angle to the light.
The colour of this Banknote is red, blue and multi-coloured and
it was first issued in January 2006.
Winner
of the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) Award – 2007:
This Banknote was the
winner of the International Bank Note Society (IBNS) 2007 IBNS Bank Note of the Year Award, given for the finest
Banknote issued in 2006.
(Although
this Banknote is dated 2005, it was released into circulation in 2006).
The IBNS Bank Note of the
Year Award is given to the Banknote which has a high level of artistic merit,
an imaginative design and features that present the best of modern security
printing (taking into account the value of the Banknote). The 5,000 francs
Comoron Banknote excelled in all parameters with its innovative design,
well-balanced colour and sensible use of modern security features.
The Front of the 5000 Francs Banknote
On the Front of the 5,000 Francs Banknote is
depicted President Said Mohamed Djohar.
Said
Mohamed Djohar (22.08.1918-23.02.2006): He was a Comorian
politician who served as President of the Comoros during the 1990s. His
government was overthrown by a band of mercenaries and he was held prisoner in
military barracks for several days. The
French government flew him to Reunion Island for medical treatment, but denied
him a return to Comoros till January 1996. He was restored to the Presidency
till March 1996. He passed away on 23.02.2006 at the age of 87 years.
The Back of the 5000 Francs Banknote
On the Back of the 5,000 Francs Banknote is depicted a weather-beaten tree, a sea-shore
and a stylised Nautilus shell design.
Security
features include a Solid Security Thread,
Registration Device, Omron Rings, Holographic Stripe, Watermark
of four stars and a crescent moon and EURion Constellation et al.
The colour of this Banknote is pink and multi-coloured. This
banknote was first issued in 2006.
The Front of the 10,000 Francs Banknote
On the Front of the 10,000 Francs or "Dix Mille Francs" Banknote are
depicted the Friday mosque in Moroni at left and Al-Habib Seyyid O.Bin Sumeit towards the centre.
Al
Habib Seyyid O.Bin Sumeit: He was a Sufi Shaikh who
was well-versed in the Quran, Hadith, and the bases of Jurisprudence (“Usul- al-Fiqh”) all the four madhhabs
(Schools of Islamic thought), as Chief Qadi (Judge) in Zanzibar and his
knowledge of the “Fiqh” (Islamic Jurisprudence).
His family migrated from Hadramaut to the Comoros Islands in the late 19th
Century where he served as a teacher and Qadi in Madagascar & the Comoros.
The Back of the 10,000 Francs Banknote
On the Back of the 10,000 Francs or "Dix Mille Francs" Banknote are depicted the Cananga tree, Ylang-Ylang
flowers and a turtle.
Cananga
tree or “Cananga odorata”: It is prized for
the perfume extracted from its flowers called “Ylang-Ylang” which is an essential oil used in aromatherapy.
It is also used to relieve high blood pressure, normalise sebum secretion for
skin problems and is considered to be an aphrodisiac. It is also used as flavouring
in Madagascar for ice cream.
Ylang-Ylang
makes up a substantial portion of the Comoros’ exports.
Ylang Ylang flowers
Security
features include a Solid Security Thread,
thick Metallic Band, Registration Device, Micro-printing, Watermark
of four stars and a crescent moon and EURion Constellation et al.
The colour of this Banknote is yellow, vanilla and
multi-coloured. This banknote was first issued in January 2006.
Prevention
of counterfeiting (security measures) and statutory warning to counterfeiters:
All denominations of
Banknotes contain the EURion Constellation features, alongwith other improved
security features like Security Thread, Registration Device, watermark of
crescent moon with four stars etc. to “raise the bar” for counterfeiters.
There is also a warning to
counterfeiters in French that counterfeiting is a crime punishable by law
and attracts rigorous punishment.
“LES AUTEURS OU COMPLICES DE FALSIFICATION OU DE CONTREFACON DE BILLETS
DE BANQUE SERONT PUNIS CONFORMEMENT AUX LOIS ET ACTES EN VIGUER”
(The above Banknotes are
from the collection of Jayant Biswas. Banknotes scanned and post researched and
written by Rajeev Prasad)
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