Update on saturday, July 25 2026
On 5 January 2026, the Banque Centrale des Comores began introducing updated 5,000 and 10,000 Comorian franc banknotes into circulation. Although the notes carry the year 2025, their public introduction took place in January 2026.
This is not a completely redesigned currency series. The Central Bank describes the new issues as updated versions of the existing banknotes, retaining their familiar overall appearance while introducing stronger and more visible security features.
The most important changes include new dynamic security elements, the 2025 issue date and the adoption of the single signature of Banque Centrale des Comores Governor Dr. Younoussa Imani.
For banknote collectors, the new issues create clearly identifiable modern varieties of two of the highest denominations in the Comorian currency system.
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Comoros 2026 Banknotes: Quick Facts
What changed on the Comoros banknotes in 2026?
The Banque Centrale des Comores introduced updated 5,000 and 10,000 franc banknotes on 5 January 2026. The notes are dated 2025 and retain the overall designs of the previous issues rather than forming a completely new series. The principal changes are improved anti-counterfeiting features, including an optically variable Union of the Comoros emblem and a holographic stripe, together with the single signature of Governor Dr. Younoussa Imani. Earlier and updated versions continue to circulate together.
Official Launch by the Banque Centrale des Comores
On 5 January 2026, the Banque Centrale des Comores (BCC / البنك المركزي لجزر القمر) placed into circulation modernized 5,000 and 10,000 francs notes, both dated 2025 and designed to be more robust and secure while preserving the visual identity of the 2006 series.[file:1]
According to regional media such as Le Matin des Comores and specialized numismatic reporting, these new notes keep the same portraits and themes as their predecessors but introduce a new layout, enhanced security including
Comorian Franc & New High Denominations at a Glance
💱 Currency Basics
Official currency: Comorian franc – franc comorien – فرنك قمري. Symbol / abbreviation: FC. ISO 4217 code: KMF. Subunit: 1/100 centime (not used in practice). These high denominations of 5,000 and 10,000 FC play a key role in larger cash transactions and savings in the Union of the Comoros.[file:1]
🧾 New Issues vs 2006 Series
The new notes are catalogued as B311 (5,000 francs) and B312 (10,000 francs), both dated 2025, and visually close to the 2006 designs but with a refreshed layout and upgraded security. They co-circulate with the earlier B301/B302‑type notes issued in 2006, creating parallel varieties by date, signature, and security level.[file:1]
✍️ New Signature & Governance
A key change is the shift to a single signature, that of governor Dr. Younoussa Imani, replacing previous multi-signature configurations. This update reflects the current leadership of the Banque Centrale des Comores and provides a clear diagnostic point to distinguish the 2025‑dated notes from earlier printings.[file:1]
Comoros 5,000 Francs 2025 – B311a
The updated 5,000 Comorian francs is predominantly purple and preserves the visual identity of the preceding issue while introducing a new generation of security features.
Obverse design
The front combines French inscriptions with the emblem of the Union of the Comoros rendered in gold-to-purple optically variable ink. The design includes the crater of Mount Karthala on Grande Comore and a portrait of President Saïd Mohamed Cheikh.
Reverse design
The reverse uses Arabic and French inscriptions and features a baobab tree, a coastal landscape and a nautilus shell. Literary elements also remain part of the composition, including poetry associated with Mbaye Trambwe.
How collectors can identify the new issue
The easiest clues are the 2025 date, the single Imani signature, the colour-changing Union emblem and the upgraded holographic element. Together these features distinguish the updated note from earlier varieties that use closely related artwork.
Comoros 10,000 Francs 2025 – B312a
The 10,000 franc note is the higher of the two denominations updated for 2026. Its predominantly yellow design continues the established visual language of the Comorian series while incorporating the new security architecture.
Obverse design
The front includes French inscriptions, the colour-shifting Union of the Comoros emblem, the Friday Mosque in Moroni and a portrait of Grand Mufti Al-Habib Saïd Omar Bin Soumeit.
Reverse design
The reverse combines Arabic and French text with imagery closely associated with the Comoros: vanilla pods, a green sea turtle and ylang-ylang flowers. The composition also incorporates poetry by Mbaye Trambwe.
Collector identification
As with the 5,000 franc note, collectors should check the 2025 date, Imani signature, optically variable emblem and holographic stripe when distinguishing the updated issue from preceding varieties.
How the 2025 Comoros Banknotes Improve Security
The Banque Centrale des Comores states that the purpose of the update is primarily to strengthen protection against counterfeiting without forcing the public to adapt to a completely different visual design.
Parallel Circulation: Old & New Notes Together
The Banque Centrale des Comores has confirmed that all 5,000 and 10,000 francs banknotes remain valid legal tender, regardless of their date or design generation. This means the 2006-issued series (B301/B302-type) and the new 2025-dated notes (B311/B312) will co-circulate indefinitely with no mandatory exchange or demonetization deadline announced.[file:1]
📍 Current Phase: Gradual Introduction (2026 Onward)
The new notes entered circulation on 5 January 2026 through the central bank’s distribution network to commercial banks, government cashiers, and key financial institutions. As fresh banknotes are dispersed across Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli, the older 2006 notes continue to circulate normally. This creates a natural overlap period where both types appear in wallets, ATM withdrawals, and business transactions.[file:1]
📍 No Compulsory Exchange Required
Unlike some currency upgrades that impose exchange deadlines, the Comoros approach is non-disruptive. Citizens, businesses, and visitors can continue using 2006-series 5,000 and 10,000 francs notes without any time pressure. Banks accept both types at face value, and there is no official withdrawal date announced. This policy protects holders of older notes and ensures monetary stability in a small island economy.[file:1]
📍 Long-Term Scenario: Mixed Circulation
Over time, worn 2006 notes will naturally exit circulation through bank sorting and destruction, while crisp 2025-dated notes gain dominance. However, given the lack of a forced retirement, well-preserved 2006 examples could remain in active use for years. For collectors, this extended parallel period offers opportunities to acquire matched serial pairs (same number, different date/security), comparative sets, and transitional bundles showing both generations side-by-side.[file:1]
Collector Strategy: Since there’s no rush to exchange, focus on securing UNC specimens of both the 2006 and 2025 issues for each denomination. Document the security differences through high-resolution scans or photos under UV/tilt lighting. As these are low-mintage island notes, pristine examples—especially of the upgraded 2025 versions—will become scarcer once heavy circulation takes its toll.[file:1]
Previous vs Updated Comoros Banknotes
The 2025-dated banknotes should be understood as security-updated varieties rather than a completely redesigned currency family. Their general appearance remains deliberately familiar.
| Feature | Earlier Issues | 2025-Dated Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Earlier dates | 2025 |
| Overall design | Established Comorian artwork | Overall appearance retained |
| Union emblem | Earlier treatment | Gold-to-purple OVI |
| Holographic feature | Earlier security configuration | New holographic stripe |
| Signature | Previous signature combinations | Single signature of Dr. Younoussa Imani |
| Circulation | Still usable | Introduced from 5 January 2026 |
The Comorian franc is formally pegged to the euro at 1 EUR = 491.96775 KMF.
At the official fixed parity, the face value of 5,000 KMF is approximately €10.16, while 10,000 KMF corresponds to approximately €20.33. Collector or dealer prices can of course differ from face value.
Why the 2025-Dated Notes Matter to Collectors
For collectors, the appeal of the new Comorian notes comes primarily from their status as identifiable security-updated varieties of an established design.
- They represent the first 5,000 and 10,000 franc issues carrying the 2025 date.
- They introduce a distinctive new security configuration.
- The single Imani signature provides an easy variety marker.
- They can be collected alongside earlier issues for a before-and-after security comparison.
- Uncirculated examples, interesting serial numbers and consecutive pairs may be particularly attractive to specialist collectors.
Because earlier and updated notes circulate together, collectors may encounter both generations simultaneously, providing an unusual opportunity to document how the same basic banknote design evolves through security upgrades.
Side-by-Side: 2006 vs 2025 Editions
For collectors building reference libraries or educational exhibits, understanding the specific differences between the 2006 and 2025-dated Comorian high denominations is essential. While the core imagery remains consistent—presidents, mosques, flora, fauna—the layout refinements and security upgrades create distinct catalog entries and collecting opportunities.[file:1]
| Feature | 2006 Series (B301/B302) | 2025 Series (B311/B312) |
|---|---|---|
| Date on Note | 2006 | 2025[file:1] |
| Introduction Date | 2006 (exact month varies by denom.) | 5 January 2026[file:1] |
| Signature Setup | Multiple signatures or older governor format | Single signature: Dr. Younoussa Imani (Sig. 10: Rioux noted)[file:1] |
| Emblem Treatment | Standard ink, no OVI | Union of the Comoros emblem in gold-to-purple OVI[file:1] |
| Holographic Element | Absent | New holographic stripe with micro-patterns and tilt effects[file:1] |
| Security Thread | Solid thread with basic BCC text | Enhanced solid thread with printed BCC (retained)[file:1] |
| Watermark | Crescent moon + BCC + electrotype stars | Same watermark structure (retained)[file:1] |
| Layout & Typography | Original 2006 positioning of texts, numerals, portraits | Refined layout: improved hierarchy, adjusted spacing, clearer value numerals[file:1] |
| Serial Number Format | Standard prefix + 6-7 digits | Prefix A reported for initial runs; format consistent[file:1] |
| Paper & Substrate | Cotton-based paper, Banque de France | Cotton-based paper, Banque de France (same quality)[file:1] |
| Colors & Themes | Purple (5,000), Yellow (10,000); same portraits and scenes | Purple (5,000), Yellow (10,000); same portraits and scenes—preserved continuity[file:1] |
| Co-Circulation Status | Remains full legal tender indefinitely[file:1] | Enters circulation as legal tender; no demonetization of 2006 notes[file:1] |
Visual Diagnostic for Collectors: The fastest way to distinguish a 2025-dated note from a 2006 issue is to tilt the note and observe the emblem: if it shifts from gold to purple (OVI effect), it’s the new B311/B312. Additionally, look for the holographic stripe running vertically or diagonally—this element is entirely absent on 2006 notes. Finally, check the signature area: a single signature indicates the modernized governance structure introduced with the 2025 edition.[file:1]
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References
- Banque Centrale des Comores – New 10,000 FC and 5,000 FC banknotes now in circulation
- BanknoteNews – Comoros new 5,000-franc note (B311a)
- BanknoteNews – Comoros new 10,000-franc note (B312a)
- Banque Centrale des Comores – Fixed euro / Comorian franc parity
- Banque de France – Africa-France monetary partnerships
