Katangese franc

Katangese franc
franc (French)

1960 50 francs
Central bank Banque Nationale du Katanga
User(s) Katanga
Subunit
1/100 centime
Coins 1, 5 francs
Banknotes 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 francs
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete.

The franc was the currency of Katanga between 1960 and 1963 during the Congolese province's brief independence. It replaced the Congolese franc at par and was consequently initially equal to the Belgian franc. This established an exchange rate of 50 francs = 1 U.S. dollar. Just before Katanga was re-annexed by Congo, the exchange rate had fallen to 195 francs = 1 U.S. dollar. The currency was replaced at par by the Congolese franc.

Coins

Bronze coins were issued in 1961 in denominations of 1 and 5 francs. A non-circulating gold 5 francs coin was also issued for collectors. Only one set containing 1 francs and 5 francs were ever made, and they remain readily available to collectors at nominal cost. Their design shows a copper cross, which was locally used for money in precolonial times.[1]

Banknotes

In 1961, a provisional issue of notes was produced by the government. These were overprinted on notes of the Rwanda and Burundi franc in denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 francs. On 9 January 1961, regular notes dated 31.10.60 were issued by the Banque Nationale du Katanga in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 francs. A second series of notes was also issued dated 1962 and 1963 in denominations of 100, 500, and 1000 francs.[2]

Banknotes of the Katangese franc (1960 Moise Tshombé issue)
Image Value Obverse Reverse
10 francs Moise Tshombé National Assembly ("Bâtiment du 30 Juin"), Élisabethville (Lubumbashi)
20 francs Moise Tshombé National Assembly ("Bâtiment du 30 Juin"), Élisabethville (Lubumbashi)
50 francs Moise Tshombé National Assembly ("Bâtiment du 30 Juin"), Élisabethville (Lubumbashi)
100 francs Moise Tshombé National Assembly ("Bâtiment du 30 Juin"), Élisabethville (Lubumbashi)
500 francs Moise Tshombé National Assembly ("Bâtiment du 30 Juin"), Élisabethville (Lubumbashi)
1000 francs Moise Tshombé National Assembly ("Bâtiment du 30 Juin"), Élisabethville (Lubumbashi)
Banknotes of the Katangese franc (1962 "Franc Katangai" issue)
Image Value Obverse Reverse Watermark
100 francs Katangais Corn harvest Wheel of spears and masks Elephant
500 francs Katangais Man at a fireplace Wheel of spears and masks Elephant
1000 francs Katangais Cotton harvest Wheel of spears and masks Elephant

References

  1. THE UNUSUAL KATANGA CROSS
  2. Linzmayer, Owen (2012). "Katanga". The Banknote Book. San Francisco, CA: www.BanknoteNews.com.

External links

Preceded by:
Congolese franc
Reason: independence
Ratio: at par
Currency of Katanga
1960 1963
Succeeded by:
Congolese franc
Reason: reunification
Ratio: at par