Benin 6000 francs Papal Visit Pope John Paul II Four Africa bimetal coin 2005

The Benin 6000 francs “Papal Visit – John Paul II” bimetallic coin 2005 (part of the 4 Africa IDAO program) is a historically significant numismatic issue that honors the Pontiff’s apostolic journeys to Africa. On the obverse, the design features an engraving of Pope John Paul II meeting Archbishop Nestor Assogba of Benin, commemorating the papal visits to the country in 1982 and 1993. The inscriptions around the edge read République du Bénin, 6000 CFA 2005, and Voyages du Pape en Afrique. Beneath the central design are the inscriptions S.S. Jean-Paul II and Mgr Nestor Assogba, further contextualizing the event. The reverse portrays an elephant’s head superimposed on a map of Africa, symbolizing the continent’s strength and unity. Around the outer ring runs the inscription Institut de Développement de l’Afrique de l’Ouest – IDAO – Emission Monétaire de l’Institut, while at the bottom the words 4 Africa emphasize the coin’s program. Struck in bimetallic format with a golden ring and silver-colored core, this coin represents both religious heritage and African identity. Collectors value it for its historical depth, rare theme, and strong symbolism, making it a prized piece in both papal and African numismatics.

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