Equatorial Guinean ekwele

The ekwele or ekuele was the currency of Equatorial Guinea between 1975 and 1985. Although nominally divided into 100 céntimos, no subdivisions were issued. The name ekuele (plural the same) was used until 1979, whilst ekwele (plural bipkwele) was used after.

The ekuele replaced the peseta guineana at par, whilst the ekwele was replaced by the Central African CFA franc (written franco on Equatorial Guinean coins and banknotes) at a rate of 1 Franco = 4 bipkwele.

Coins

The first coins were issued in 1975. These were 1, 5 and 10 ekuele denominations. In 1980 and 1981, coins of 1 ekwele, 5, 25 and 50 bipkwele were issued. This second issue was made in smaller quantities than the first and these coins are considerably rarer today.

Banknotes

The "Banco Popular" issued notes from 25 to 1000 ekuele in 1975, with the "Banco de Guinea Ecuatorial" taking over the production of paper money in 1979 and issuing notes in denominations from 100 up to 5000 bipkwele.