Central African Republic (CAR) - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Central African Republic (CAR), formerly the French colony of Ubangi-Shari is a landlocked country in Central Africa bordered by Chad, Sudan, Congo, and Cameroon. The country covers a land area of around 240,000 square miles with a population of around 4.4 million people making it a sparsely populated country at around 18 per square mile. Human presence dates back to 1000 BC. Central African Republic is one of the world’s poorest countries with a per-capita GDP (ppp) of around $400 and is in dire need of humanitarian aid. Sustenance farming, forestry, and the diamond industry are the mainstay of the economy.

Travel Resources:

The climate is tropical – the northern regions are subject to desertification while the rest of the country is prone to flooding. The country's government cannot guarantee the safety of travelers in most of the country.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Central African Republic Country Study Guide by International Business Publications	978-0739742884	$90	Detailed introduction to geography, history, people, language, culture, traditions, economy, government, politics, constitution, places to visit, and practical information for visitors.
Central African Republic: General Road and Relief Map	978-2118501112	$17
Central African Republic Grounded Adapter – GUB	B001FD85RG	$8

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Central African Republic were a set of two (Scott #1 and #2) issued on December 1, 1959 showing Premier Barthelemy Boganda and Flag. It was released in his honor following his tragic death in a mysterious plane accident. The set catalogs for under a dollar for MNH and around half that for used.







Below are other relevant stamp issues of Central African Republic over the years:

1. A set of three stamps (Scott #53 to #55) released on August 25, 1965 to publicize plant protection. The set catalogs for around $5 MNH and around a dollar for used. The designs show caterpillars and moth on coffee plant, hawk moth and caterpillar on coffee leaves, and platyedra moth and larvae on cotton plant. 
2. A set of five stamps (Scott #81 to #85) released on October 3, 1967 showing Various Mushrooms. The set is very expensive at around $155 for MNH and $15 for used. The designs show leucocoprinus africanus.
3. A set of six stamps (Scott #240 to #245) released on November 28, 1975 to promote Central African Wood. The set catalogs for around $5 MNH and $3 for used. The designs show crane lifting log onto truck, forest, tree felling, log pile, logs transported by raft, and lumberyard.
4. A set of six stamps (Scott #323 to #328) released on February 21, 1978 in the Endangered Animals theme. The set catalogs for around $25 MNH and $5 for Used. The designs show rhinoceros, slender nosed crocodile, leopard, giraffe, elephant, and gorilla.
5. A set of four stamps released on January 22, 1982 in the Animals theme. The set (Scott #502 to #505) catalogs for around $5 MNH and a dollar for used. The designs show elephant, giraffes, addaxes, and okapi. 

Numismatic Profile:

The first coins of Central African Republic were 100 Francs Nickels introduced in 1971 with the Three Eland Obverse and denomination within circle in reverse issued by the Central African States Monetary Union. Mintage is well into the millions but they are still valued in the $30 range for UNC. Prior to this, coinage of the French Equatorial African and Equatorial African States were used. Large Gold 250 Dollars Proofs (1.4 troy ounce gold content) issued from 1986 onwards with very low mintage (less than 100) is sought after and valued at a sizable premium over bullion value.

Numismatic items of Central African Republic include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$30 and up	Early UNCs start around $30. Low mintage silver proofs start around $100. Gold coins go well into the 100s and 1000s depending on bullion value and mintage.
Paper Money	$10 and up	UNCs from the 80s and 90s (500 Francs and up) start around $10. High Values and rare dates start around $30 and can go into the 100s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.