The Upper Volta Franc (UVC) was the former official currency of the Republic of Upper Volta, which is now known as Burkina Faso. It was the national monetary unit used from 1959 until 1997, after which it was replaced by the West African CFA franc.
The Upper Volta Franc was introduced when Upper Volta gained independence from France in 1960. It was subdivided into 100 centimes and its ISO currency code was UVC. Coins denominated in centimes were issued in various denominations, including 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 centimes. Banknotes, on the other hand, were printed in denominations of 500, 1000, 5000, and 10,000 francs.
During its existence, the Upper Volta Franc experienced various economic fluctuations and inflation rates, affecting its value and purchasing power. The currency's value was linked to the French franc until 1996 when it was pegged to the West African CFA franc at a fixed exchange rate. This transition was part of the country's decision to join the West African Monetary Union.
With the introduction of the West African CFA franc in 1997, the Upper Volta Franc was officially demonetized. However, some old banknotes and coins are still occasionally encountered as collectors' items, representing a significant part of the monetary history of Burkina Faso.
