Cameroon 1970 10000 francs
This specimen was lot 31146 in Heritage sale 3067 (Long Beach, September 2018), where it sold for $3,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "Cameroon: Republic gold Proof 10000 Francs (1970) PR66 Ultra Cameo NGC. The largest denomination from the 1970 Proof Set, 4,000 pieces of which were made in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of Cameroon's independence. Represented here in brilliant gem proof, President El Hajj Ahmadou Ahidjo's portrait exquisitely frosted against the flashy mirror fields behind; a gold coin of such brilliance and size that one can quite literally see one's face in it. With immense eye appeal, this striking one-year type is sure to appeal to collectors of high-grade gold proofs." This design was also used for commemorative one thousand, three thousand, five thousand, ten thousand (shown here) and twenty thousand francs. No doubt they were passed out to friends and supporters of the beloved president as there is no evidence they ever circulated. The French-backed CFA franc is used for ordinary transactions.
Recorded mintage: 4,000.
Specification: 35 g, 0.900 fine gold, AGW 1.0127 oz.
Catalog reference: KM 21.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2018 September 6-11 Long Beach Expo World Coins & Ancient Coins Signature Auction #3067, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
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