Mauritania 200 Ouguiya 2002 Pick 5j UNC Banknote
The Mauritania 200 Ouguiya 2002 Pick 5j is an attractive example of the country’s original Ouguiya currency and a particularly distinctive African banknote thanks to its large format and intricate traditional design.
Issued by the Banque Centrale de Mauritanie (Central Bank of Mauritania), the note is printed on paper and measures 155 × 80 mm. Its design combines Arabic calligraphy and elaborate ornamental patterns with scenes reflecting traditional Mauritanian life. Numista
Historical Background
Mauritania introduced the Ouguiya in 1973, replacing the CFA franc and establishing a national currency following independence from France.
One of the most unusual characteristics of the Ouguiya is its traditional subdivision. Rather than being divided into 100 smaller units like most modern currencies, 1 Ouguiya was divided into 5 khoums.
The 200 Ouguiya P-5 design became one of the long-running denominations of the original currency, with varieties catalogued from 1974 through the early 2000s. Numista
Technical Specifications
- Country: Mauritania
- Denomination: 200 Ouguiya
- Year: 2002
- Pick Number: P-5j
- Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
- Issuer: Banque Centrale de Mauritanie
- Currency: Old Ouguiya (MRO)
- Material: Paper
- Dimensions: 155 × 80 mm
- Dominant colour: Orange / multicolour
- Printer: Giesecke & Devrient, Germany
- Type: Standard circulation banknote
- Watermark: Bearded man’s head
- Status: Demonetized Numista
Obverse
The obverse is dominated by elaborate geometric and ornamental patterns inspired by traditional Mauritanian decorative art.
It features:
- Arabic inscriptions
- Central Bank of Mauritania identification
- Arabic 200 Ouguiya denomination
- Intricate geometric patterns
- Multicoloured ornamental elements
- Serial numbers
- Watermark area
Unlike many world banknotes, this issue does not rely on the portrait of a political leader or monarch as its principal design. Instead, the elaborate patterns and calligraphy give the note a particularly distinctive Islamic and North-West African visual character. Numista
Reverse
The reverse switches primarily to French and depicts objects and scenery associated with traditional Mauritanian life.
The design includes:
- Traditional bowl
- Wooden rod or support
- Dugout canoe
- Palm tree
- Banque Centrale de Mauritanie inscription
- 200 Deux Cents Ouguiya denomination
- Anti-counterfeiting warning in French Numista
The combination of the canoe and palm tree reflects the country’s relationship with both traditional livelihoods and the waters of its Atlantic and river regions.
Security Features
The 200 Ouguiya incorporates traditional security features including:
- Bearded-man watermark
- Embedded security element
- Fine geometric line patterns
- Complex multicoloured printing
- Serial numbering
- UV-reactive fibres
The note was printed by Giesecke & Devrient, one of the world’s major security printers. Numista
Why Add This Banknote to Your Collection?
The Mauritania 200 Ouguiya 2002 Pick 5j UNC banknote stands out for its unusually large dimensions, intricate geometric design and representation of traditional Mauritanian culture.
It is particularly suitable for collectors of African banknotes, Islamic artistic designs, traditional boats on currency, former currencies and historical UNC world paper money.
