Guinea 1985 5 francs

formerly in the Mountain Groan Collection

The coinage of the West Africa nation of Guinea is sporadic and scanty. Originally a French colony using coinage of French West Africa, Guinea obtained her independence in 1958 in the general rush to decolonization but never used the CFA franc. The original franc-based coinage was mostly commemoratives made and marketed outside the country. In 1971, the franc was retired and the sylis introduced (100 cauris (cowries) = 1 syli). The syli, in turn, was retired in 1985 in a return to the franc. This coin was issued in 1985 as part of the new coinage. Guinea's exports are almost exclusively aluminum ore and gold.

Recorded mintage: unknown but common.

Specification: 2 g, brass plated steel, 17.5 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 53.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• 1977 500 sylis, Lumumba
• 1977 500 sylis, Miriam Makeba
• 1977 2000 sylis, Mao Tse Tung
• Guinea 1985 franc
• Guinea 1985 10 francs
• Guinea 1987 25 francs
• Coins and currency dated 1985