French West Africa 1883 1 token
This specimen was lot 46636 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "FRENCH WEST AFRICA. Brass "Unit" Token, 1883. Paris Mint. PCGS MS-63." This brass issue was accompanied by similar tokens marked "5" (KM Tn7) and "10" (KM Tn8). They were struck for Pierre Paul François Camille Savorgnan de Brazza (1852-1905) and Jacques Savorgnan di Brazza (1859-88), explorers and naturalists in Africa. Their travels in the Congo basin established French claims to the region. Pierre was made governor-general of the French Congo in 1883 but was dismissed in 1897 after protesting the exploitative and repressive practices of the concessionary companies. These tokens should be attributed to French Equatorial Africa, where they were used, but for the legend "OUEST AFRICAIN FRANÇAIS".
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specifications: 1.3 g, brass, 17 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-Tn6; Lec-22.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2025 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, featuring The Richard August Collection and the Richard Margolis Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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