Democratic Republic of Congo is very big African state. The area of Congo is 2345410 sq.km.! A population is numerous too: more than 77000000! Until June 30 1960 Congo was the Belgian colony. At June 30 1960 was proclaimed an independent Republic of Congo. Republic of Congo was renamed in Republic of Zaire in 1971. Republic of Zaire was renamed again - in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. Since September 30 1967 zair was the currency of Congo. One zair was equal to 100 makutas or 10000 sengi.
10 sengi 1967, aluminium, weight - 0,7 g., size - 17 mm, thickness - 1,39 mm, mintage - 90996000 pcs. Single release.
1 likuta (makuta) 1967, aluminium, weight - 1,25 - 1,75 mm, mintage - 49180000 pcs. Engraver: Michael Rizzello. Single release.
5 makutas 1967, copper-nickel, weight - 6,41 g., size - 25 mm, thickness - 1,65 mm, mintage - 2470000 pcs. Engraver: Michael Rizzello. Single release.
10 makutas 1973, copper-nickel, weight - 8,95 g., size - 27,5 mm, mintage - 5000000 pcs. Such coins were released at 1973, 1975-76 and 1978.
20 makutas 1973, copper-nickel, weight - 13,1 g., size - 31 mm, mintage - uncknown. Such coins were released at 1973 and 1976.
Meow thinks US coinage should have Cats on them too. Like this incredible treasure Meow found CRH a few months ago.
Great coins! I only have two from there.... AV 100 Zaires 1975 Birmingham Mint/ Zaire Conservation Coin Series of 1974-79 AV 5 Francs 1961 Katanga
Agreed. Looks right at you. That coin is pretty big, so the lion's head is big as well. As for the Katanga coins, I have always found the font very interesting, with the A looking like a triangle on both sides. The designer Claude Charlier said that yes, the bananas should be other way round but that was covered by artistic license. Now the "violently crushed" part, well, I do not want to get into politics here, but it makes sense to read about what were the driving and supporting forces behind that declaration of "independent" Katanga ... Christian
I'm aware, and not trying to pass any kind of judgment. The secession and subsequent invasion add historical interest to the coins, in my view.
I have this one plus a Katanga similar to the one posted above. Also have a few from the old Belgian Congo days. Don't have any from the other Republic of the Congo, just to the north west.
I just remember watching a Hollywood movie about that event. Group of white mercenaries trying to remove a cache of diamonds, that where held by the bad guys, bit like Bruce Willis and "Tears of the Sun" Think the hero was Rod Taylor. The movie was, "The Dark of the Sun" 1968.
