West African States (Ivory Coast) 2003 *ERROR* SPECIMEN B123Aasx/P117Aasx XF-AU

Description

5000 Francs, Ivory Coast (letter A), 2003, (ERROR, specimen), B123Aasx/P117Aasx, XF-AU

This note was overprinted in the watermark area with the number 0085 and in the design area diagonally with the word SPÉCIMEN. However, the ink never reached the paper, so the word and number are virtually invisible in normal light. They are visible under ultraviolet light, as shown in the supplemental photo.

Specimens from this West African States series are rather scarce. This is not only a specimen, but an error note as well.