Mali was French African colony (as French Sudan) until September 22 1960 when it became an independent state. The territory of the Republic of Mali makes 1240192 square kilometers and population about 13800000. At the 60's Mali was pro-communist country but from 1974 it became a capitalist state. Republic of Mali is one of the poorest countries in the whole world. Infantile mortality is extremely high: 114 children on 1000 newborns. Average life expectancy - 52 years only. 1,5% of population have AIDS. In Mali there is no higher education, the population is semiliterate. So we're can say that Republic of Mali is one of poor countries in the world. Obviously, it would be better for them to remain the French colony.
The currency of the Republic of Mali is franc. One franc is equal to 100 centimes. First coins were released at 1961.
5 francs maliens 1961, aluminium, weight - 1 g., size - 20 mm, thickness - 1,45 mm, mintage unknown. Paris Mint. Single release.
10 francs maliens 1961, aluminium, weight - 1,5 g., size - 23,5 mm, thickness - 1,32 mm, mintage unknown. Paris Mint. Single release.
25 francs maliens 1961, aluminium, weight - 2,5 g., size - 27 mm, mintage unknown. Paris Mint. Single release.
50 francs 1975,nickel-brass, weight - 4 g., size - 23,5 mm, thickness - 1,5 mm, mintage - 10000000 pcs. Engraver: Raymond Joly. Paris Mint. Such coins were released at 1975 and 1977.
That hippo coin I like. Now whether Mali would better off as a colony these days ... I don't think so, but let's not get into politics. According to "my" catalog (Schön 2014) the 1961 coins were minted in Kremnica by the way. Mali uses the West African Franc today (Franc CFA BCEAO) which has a fixed euro exchange rate. Christian
