An Overview of the French Colonial Coinage of Cameroon

I posted this over on the NGC boards, thought I'd share here.

Modern day Cameroon was originally claimed by the French in the 19th century, and was part of the French Equatorial Africa. After the Agadir Crisis, Cameroon was ceded to German and relabeled Neukamerun. However, the territory was mandated back to France by the League of Nations in the aftermath of World War I, with parts also given to Britain. France generally relegated control to the tribal leaders, but retained the judicial and police systems. Great care was taken to remove all traces of former German control, and Cameroun became a thriving colony – exporting cotton, wood, and coffee.

The Union of the Peoples of Cameroon was founded as an anti-colonialist league in 1948. When it was outlawed in 1955, war broke out. Ruben Um Nyobé led a guerilla war against the French, resulting in autonomy in 1956. Cameroon was finally granted full independence in 1960, although a civil war continued for many years.

The coinage of French Colonial Cameroon can be divided into 4 distinct groups. The first is the beautiful laureated head, designed by Henry Auguste Jules Patey. He was the Chief Engraver of the French mint from 1896 until 1930. His privy mark is the torch, and appears on all coins struck under his authority. The cornucopia privy mark, for the Paris mint, is also on these coins. The reverse has a bundle of three branches, like ferns or palm fronds. 50 centimes, 1 franc, and 2 francs were struck in 1924, 1925, but in 1926 it was 50 centimes and 1 franc onl. These coins are readily available for type, but assembling the complete set is probably going to take a little more effort. The 2 franc coin is scarce in higher grades, and 1925 in all denominations is key.








The second group is the Free French WWII coinage, featuring a rooster and the Cross of Lorraine. As others and I have mentioned before, this coinage is very difficult, especially when searching for high grade, problem free specimens. They are much harder to locate than the price would indicate. These coins were all struck in Praetoria, South Africa. There are two varieties for each denomination of this group - half the coins were struck with the legend "Cameroun Francais" below the rooster, and half were struck with the legend "Cameroun Francais Libre." Despite the mintages being listed as the same in Krause, the "Libre" coinage is harder to find, and worth more.










The third group is the familiar bust of Marianne with ships common to all French Colonial coinage of this era. The reverse features a gazelle. Struck in 1948, the Cameroon issues consist of a franc and 2 franc coins. These were designed by the new Chief Engraver, Lucien Bazor, and feature his privy mark - the wing. These coins are widely available, and collectors should not settle for less than Gem BU specimens. The aluminum composition of these coins often causes spottiness or other unsightly blemishes, so be sure to take the time to find clean examples.






The fourth group comes from the troubled time of transition between colony and fully independent country. Struck in 1958, the 5, 10, and 25 franc coins feature three giant eland on the obverse, and the denomination on the reverse. They were designed by Lucien Bazor, and struck at the Paris mint. These too are widely available, and can be obtained for very little money.




The French Colonial Coinage of Cameroon is a very interesting set, and one which I encourage you to attempt. I put my complete 17 coin set together in about a year, and only spent $165 on it. Its always refreshing to be able to take a break from the high dollar sets and put together a set like this - an attractive group of artistically pleasing coins, for not much money.

To see my complete set, see my photobucket album

Comments, questions, complaints all welcome! If you have any of these coins, post them!

 

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Very interesting and Informative, I have a small collection from Polynisia and over the weekend recieved my 1st from Reunion a Aluminium 2 Franc, I would like to do a type set for each of the French colonies and after reading this will look into picking some up from the Cameroon :thumb:

 

Thanks for the great and interesting information! This is worthy of TOTW!

 

That EAGLE looks a lot like a rooster...........cool coins

 

LOL that Eagle is a Rooster

 

LOL.....which reminds me of the old myth about B. Franklin wanting to use the turkey as the official seal for US coins and such....how would a nice walker look with a turkey on its back ...lol

 

Great post!

 

Great Stuff...How about French Indo-chine coinage ??? Ripley

 

Thanks guys!

Ripley, I haven't started the French Indo-Chine coinage yet. I only have one piece, a cleaned and retoned (rainbow!) 50 centimes. But I do find it quite attractive.

 

Neat.... I love pre 1940 Indo-chine coins and have quite a few. Liberty Enlightening the World sitting position in so many forms. Ripley

 

Thanks guys, for making my first post on these boards a Thread of the Week! I'm honored.

 

What is a good source for finding French Colonial coinage like this? I'm working on a Mercury dime series and the Marianne obverse with the winged cap piqued my interest.

 

:hail:Excellent coins! Great coins!!

 

I have one coin from Cameroon, but it minted in 1967, when Cameroon was an independent republic.

 

I have a small collection of coins from French Indo-Chine (1/4, 1/2, 1, 5, 10, 20 centimes and 1 piastre).:smile