Franc Currency Symbols (CHF, CFA, ₣)
From the historic French franc (₣, U+20A3) to the modern safe-haven Swiss Franc (CHF, shared with Liechtenstein) and regional African CFA monetary unions, discover all world Franc currencies.
Franc Currencies Classification & Issuance
| Currency | Symbol / Notation | ISO 4217 | Central Bank / Issuer | Member States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swiss Franc | CHF / Fr. | CHF (756) | Swiss National Bank (SNB) | Switzerland & Liechtenstein (1980 Treaty) |
| West African CFA Franc | CFA / F.CFA | XOF (952) | Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) | Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo |
| Central African CFA Franc | FCFA | XAF (950) | Bank of Central African States (BEAC) | Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon |
| French Franc (Historic) | ₣ (U+20A3) / F | FRF (250) | Bank of France (Historical) | France (Replaced by EUR in 2002) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and direct answers regarding currency symbols, typing shortcuts, and international formatting.
Does Liechtenstein have its own currency?
No. Under the bilateral Currency Treaty of June 19, 1980 between Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Swiss Franc (CHF) is the official legal tender of Liechtenstein, and the Swiss National Bank acts as its central monetary authority.
Does the Swiss Franc use the symbol ₣?
No. The symbol ₣ (U+20A3) is strictly the historic French Franc symbol. The Swiss Franc has no single-character glyph and is always written as plain Latin text 'CHF' or 'Fr.'.
What is the difference between West African CFA (XOF) and Central African CFA (XAF)?
While both currencies are called the CFA Franc and have identical fixed parity to the Euro (1 EUR = 655.957 CFA), they are issued by different regional central banks (BCEAO for West Africa and BEAC for Central Africa) and are not legally interchangeable in retail shops.
When did France stop using the French Franc?
The French Franc was replaced by the Euro for non-cash transactions on January 1, 1999, and physical franc banknotes and coins ceased to be legal tender on February 17, 2002.