2020-09-22 Tue

September 22 is Independence Day in Mali. This national holiday commemorates the independence of Mali from France as the Republic of Mali in 1960.

Mali was colonized by France in 1892. The colony was known as French Sudan and was administered as part of the Federation of French West Africa. In 1959, Senegal and the Sudanese Republic formed the Federation of Mali. On June 20, 1960, the Federation became fully independent from France. Two months later, Senegal withdrew from the Federation of Mali.

On September 22, 1960, the former Sudanese Republic gained independence as the Republic of Mali. Former Prime Minister of the Mali Federation Modibo Keita became the first President of Mali. This is one of the first banknotes of the country. This is the 22 September 1960, 100 francs note issued by the Bank of the Republic of Mali.

The banknote depicts the image of Modibo Keita Mali's first president after its independence from France. The front of the note has three signatures, the serial number as well as the denomination. The back of the note is brown and has the image of an old man in a turban to the right with people at the river with boats and a village in the background. The back only shows the denomination.

Image Courtesy: coincircuit.com