Rwanda 1 franc (ifaranga) 2003 - Steel new type

Besides the known Rwanda aluminum 1 franc (ifaranga) 2003 (KM#22) this type also exists in magnetic steel. As seen in the image, left one is aluminum, right one is steel.

The new steel strike is from the South African Mint, it is thinner, weighs 1.92 grams and has plain edge.

It seems this new metal 1 franc has been restruck with frozen date later than 2003, possibly in connection with the minting of the last series dated 2007, 2009 and 2011. Because of low value the steel 1f never made its way into real circulation, so it seems to be scarce.



(news, data and images by Wolfgang Schuster)