Free State Congo (feudal possession of the Belgish king Leopold II). 5 centimes 1887, mintage - 180000 pcs. Rather rare coin.
Belgian Congo. Province of Ruanda-Urundi. 5 francs 1952, brass, mintage - 10000000 pcs. The single release only.
Belgian Congo. Province of Ruanda-Urundi. 5 francs 1958, aluminium, weight - 2,2 g., size - 26,2 mm, thickness - 2 mm, mintage - 26110000 pcs.
2 francs 1947, brass, weight - 4,8 g., size - 22 mm, thickness - 1,72 mm, mintage - 12000000 pcs. Such coins were released at 1946 & 1947.
Pre-independence period. Rwanda and Urundi was a parts of the colony Belgian Congo. After the abolition of colony Belgian Congo at 1960 Urudi was renamed in Burundi. At August 21 1960 Rwanda and Burundi Bank of Emission was founded. This Bank (B.E.R.B.) started to made a coins for circulation in Rwanda and Burundi. This coins (1 franc 1960, 1961 and 1964) circulated until September 30 1964. One franc were the only coins which were released by Rwanda and Burundi Bank of Emissiaon. 1 franc 1961, brass, weight - 3,8 g., size - 21 mm, thickness - 1 mm, mintage - 16000000 pcs.
Agreed, that frontal view is quite different from how we usually see animals on coins. Who knows, maybe that design inspired the Mongolian Wildlife Protection series, see here for example ... Christian
I think the different perspective is what makes it powerful. Here are two other African coins with a similar design, though they're not Congo so sorry to get a little off topic.
The 1943 2 francs was one that I always wanted from the time I started collecting when I was a pre-teen. Such a cool looking coin. A real work of art to me. I think I finally got this one when I was in my early 30's. Now I am thinking of upgrading to a better grade. Also considered giving this an acetone bath to clean up some of the "crud".