Coins from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo or Congo-Kinshasa is a country in Central Africa bordering the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. It remains largely unexplored to this day, but was first mapped by Pierre de Brazza, which allowed for Leopold II of Belgium to lay claim to the region as the Congo Free State during the Scramble for Africa in 1885. Reports of human rights abuses on rubber farms there led the Belgian government to take over the territory in 1908, and it became the Belgian Congo, or Lower Congo to distinguish it from the French Congo, or Middle Congo. Ruanda-Urundi (now Rwanda and Burundi) was attached to it from German East Africa after WWI in 1919; it was a supplier of uranium to the Allies in WWII, and gained it's formal independence from Belgium after the war in 1960. After attempted secession by Katanga, the DRC became an anti-communist right-wing dictatorship during the Cold War, known as Zaïre until 1997. After two civil wars in 1996-2003, the DRC is only a little closer to democracy as of 2018. It currently has a population of about 78.7 million, and uses the Congolese franc. The Belgian Congo was first acquired by King Léopold II in 1885 as the Congo Free State, and coinage on par with the Belgian Franc was issued in 1887-1892. The Congo Free State became notorious for human rights abuses, and was given to the Belgian government in 1908, whereupon coins in the Belgian Congolese Franc were issued starting in 1911. Ruanda-Urundi was attached to it following its acquisition from Germany in 1919. During the 2nd World War, the Belgian Free Forces were based in the Belgian Congo, and brass and silver coinage was minted. The colony became independent as the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1960. The Congo Free State is the former name of present-day Republic of Congo, when it was awarded to the Belgian King Leopold II during the Berlin Conference in 1885. He made a lot of money exploiting the locals for his rubber enterprises. Due to bad conditions and epidemics many millions of Congolese died, but no accurate records exist. International pressure led to the annexation of Congo Free State by the Belgian state in 1908, which marked the start of Belgian Congo.
Wikidata: Q974 Read more

Periods from the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville) (1960-1971), Zaire (1971-1997), Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997-date)

See also: Katanga

• Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville) (1960-1971)
  • Franc (1960-1967)
  • Zaire (1967-1993)
• Zaire (1971-1997)
  • Zaire (1967-1993)
  • New Zaire (1993-1998)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997-date)
  • Franc (1998-date)

Congo, Democratic Republic of the › Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville) (1960-1971) • Franc (1960-1967)

100 Centimes = 1 Franc

10 Francs
1965
Aluminium • 3.27 g • ⌀ 29.8 mm
KM# 1, Schön# 34, N# 8868

10 Francs (5th Anniversary of independence)
1965
Non-circulating coin: 5th Anniversary of independence
Gold (.900) • 3.226 g • ⌀ 19 mm
KM# 2, Schön# 35, N# 138634

10 Francs (Essai)
1965
Pattern
Aluminium • 2.83 g • ⌀ 30.3 mm
Lec# E1, N# 178180

20 Francs (5th Anniversary of independence)
1965
Non-circulating coin: 5th Anniversary of independence
Gold (.900) • 6.452 g • ⌀ 20 mm
KM# 3, Schön# 36, N# 138637

25 Francs (5th Anniversary of independence)
1965
Non-circulating coin: 5th Anniversary of independence
Gold (.900) • 8.064 g • ⌀ 22 mm
KM# 4, Schön# 37, N# 138641

50 Francs (5th Anniversary of independence)
1965
Non-circulating coin: 5th Anniversary of independence
Gold (.900) • 16.129 g • ⌀ 27 mm
KM# 5, Schön# 38, N# 138642

100 Francs (5th Anniversary of independence)
1965
Non-circulating coin: 5th Anniversary of independence
Gold (.900) • 32.258 g • ⌀ 35 mm
KM# 6, Schön# 39, N# 138643

100 Francs (5th Anniversary of Independence; Pattern)
1965
Pattern: 5th Anniversary of Independence
Gold (.900)
KM# Pn3, N# 308752

Congo, Democratic Republic of the › Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville) (1960-1971) • Zaire (1967-1993)

100 Sengi = 1 Likuta • 100 Makuta = 1 Zaïre

10 Sengi
1967
Aluminium • 0.7 g • ⌀ 16.99 mm
KM# 7, Schön# 40, N# 3536

10 Sengis (5 Years of J.D. Mobutu's Presidency; Gold Proof Issue)
1970
Non-circulating coin: 5th Year of Mobutu Presidency
Gold (.900) • 3.20 g • ⌀ 19.8 mm
KM# 10, Schön# 43, N# 195287

10 Sengis (5 Years of J.D. Mobutu's Presidency; Brass Gilt Proof Issue)
1970
Non-circulating coin: 5th Year of Mobutu Presidency
Brass
KM# 10a, N# 195288

1 Likuta
1967 (1966-1969)
Aluminium • 1.25 g • ⌀ 21 mm
KM# 8, Schön# 41, N# 4389

5 Makuta
1967 (1966-1977)
Copper-nickel • 6.5 g • ⌀ 25 mm
KM# 9, Schön# 42, N# 4111

25 Makutas (5 Years of J.D. Mobutu's Presidency; Gold Proof Issue)
1970
Non-circulating coin: 5th Year of Mobutu Presidency
Gold (.900) • 8.00 g
KM# 11a, N# 195337

50 Makutas (5 Years of J.D. Mobutu's Presidency; Brass Gilt Proof Issue)
1970
Non-circulating coin: 5th Year of Mobutu Presidency
Brass
KM# 12, N# 195335

50 Makutas (5 Years of J.D. Mobutu's Presidency; Gold Proof Issue)
1970
Non-circulating coin: 5th Year of Mobutu Presidency
Gold (.900) • 16.00 g
KM# 12a, N# 195340

1 Zaïre (5 Years of J.D. Mobutu's Presidency; Brass Gilt Proof Issue)
1970
Non-circulating coin: 5th Year of Mobutu Presidency
Brass
KM# 13, N# 195336

1 Zaïre (5 Years of J.D. Mobutu's Presidency; Gold Proof Issue)
1970
Non-circulating coin: 5th Year of Mobutu Presidency
Gold (.900) • 32.00 g
KM# 13a, N# 195342

1 Zaïre (Essai)
1970
Pattern
Silver
KM# E5, N# 178182

1 Zaïre (Piefort Essai)
1970
Pattern
Silver • 39.79 g
KM# PE2, N# 178181

Congo, Democratic Republic of the › Zaire (1971-1997) • Zaire (1967-1993)

100 Sengi = 1 Likuta • 100 Makuta = 1 Zaïre

5 Makuta
1977
Copper-nickel • 6.5 g • ⌀ 25 mm
KM# 12, Schön# 53, N# 12539

10 Makuta
1973-1978
Copper-nickel • 9 g • ⌀ 28 mm
KM# 7, Schön# 54, N# 7870

20 Makuta
1973-1976
Copper-nickel • 13.1 g • ⌀ 31 mm
KM# 8, Schön# 55, N# 7871

25 Makutas (5 Years of J.D. Mobutu's Presidency; Brass Gilt Proof Issue)
1970
Non-circulating coin: 5th Year of Mobutu Presidency
Brass
KM# 11, N# 195334

1 Zaïre
1987
Brass • 5 g • ⌀ 21 mm
KM# 13, Schön# 59, N# 9248

2½ Zaïres (Conservation)
1975
Non-circulating coin: Conservation
Silver (.925) • 28.28 g • ⌀ 38.6 mm
KM# 9, Schön# 56, N# 34539

5 Zaïres (Hotel Intercontinental)
1971
Non-circulating coin: Hotel Intercontinental
Silver (.925) • 27.8401 g • ⌀ 35 mm
KM# 1, Schön# 47, N# 34540

5 Zaïres (Conservation)
1975
Non-circulating coin: Conservation
Silver (.925) • 35 g • ⌀ 42 mm
KM# 10, Schön# 57, N# 34541

5 Zaïres
1987
Brass • 6.9 g • ⌀ 24 mm
KM# 14, Schön# 60, N# 4432

10 Zaires (Hotel Intercontinental)
1971
Non-circulating coin: Hotel Intercontinental
Gold (.900) • 9.96 g • ⌀ 21 mm
KM# 2, Schön# 48, N# 107279

10 Zaires (Hotel Intercontinental)
1971
Non-circulating coin: Hotel Intercontinental
Platinum (.999) • 6.04 g
KM# 3, Schön# 48a, N# 107280

10 Zaïres
1988
Brass • 8 g • ⌀ 26 mm
KM# 19, Schön# 61, N# 6079

20 Zaires (Hotel Intercontinental)
1971
Non-circulating coin: Hotel Intercontinental
Gold (.900) • 20.90 g • ⌀ 29 mm
KM# 4, Schön# 49, N# 107281

20 Zaires (Hotel Intercontinental)
1971
Non-circulating coin: Hotel Intercontinental
Platinum (.999) • 12 g
KM# 5, Schön# 49a, N# 107282

50 Zaires (Hotel Intercontinental)
1971
Non-circulating coin: Hotel Intercontinental
Gold (.900) • 50 g • ⌀ 35 mm
KM# 6, Schön# 50, N# 107283

100 Zaires (15th Anniversary of the WWF)
1975
Non-circulating coin: 15th Anniversary of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Gold (.900) • 33.4370 g • ⌀ 34 mm
KM# 11, Schön# 58, N# 58019

Congo, Democratic Republic of the › Zaire (1971-1997) • New Zaire (1993-1998)

100 Makuta = 1 Zaïre

500 Nouveaux Zaïres (Leopard)
1996
Non-circulating coin: Wildlife of Africa – Leopard
Silver (.500) • 20 g • ⌀ 35 mm
KM# 20, Schön# 63, N# 44314

500 Nouveaux Zaïres (Gorilla)
1996
Non-circulating coin: Wildlife of Africa – Gorilla
Silver (.500) • 20 g • ⌀ 35 mm
KM# 21, Schön# 64, N# 44315

500 Nouveaux Zaïres (Okapi)
1996
Non-circulating coin: Wildlife of Africa – Okapi
Silver (.500) • 20 g • ⌀ 34 mm
KM# 22, Schön# 62, N# 44316

1000 Nouveaux Zaïres (Common Hippopotamus)
1997
Non-circulating coin: Wildlife of Africa – Common Hippopotamus
Silver (.925) • 31.47 g • ⌀ 38.61 mm
KM# 23, Schön# 68, N# 44317

1000 Nouveaux Zaïres (Portuguese Caravel)
1997
Non-circulating coin: History of Seafaring – Portuguese Caravel
Silver (.925) • 30.09 g • ⌀ 38.50 mm
KM# 24, Schön# 69, N# 44318

1000 Nouveaux Zaïres (World Cup)
1997
Non-circulating coin: World Cup, France
Silver (.925) • 31.47 g • ⌀ 38.61 mm
KM# 28, Schön# 70, N# 107285

5000 Nouveaux Zaïres (Leopard)
1996
Non-circulating coin: Wildlife of Africa - Leopard
Silver (.999) • 500 g • ⌀ 90 mm
KM# 25, Schön# 65, N# 107286

10 000 New Zaïres (Gorilla)
1996
Non-circulating coin: Wildlife of Africa - Gorilla
Silver (.999) • 1000 g • ⌀ 100 mm
KM# 26, Schön# 66, N# 107287

10 000 Nouveaux Zaïres (Leopard)
1996
Non-circulating coin: Wildlife of Africa
Gold (.999) • 155.50 g • ⌀ 62 mm
KM# 27, Schön# 67, N# 107288

Congo, Democratic Republic of the › Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997-date) • Franc (1998-date)

100 Centimes = 1 Franc

25 Centimes (Weasel)
2002
Non-circulating coin: Animal Series – Animal series
Aluminium • 0.88 g • ⌀ 19.9 mm
KM# 76, N# 7679

25 Centimes (Ram)
2002
Non-circulating coin: Animal series – Animal series
Aluminium • 0.85 g • ⌀ 20 mm
KM# 77, N# 7680

25 Centimes (Wild Dog)
2002
Non-circulating coin: Animal Series – Animal series
Aluminium • 0.85 g • ⌀ 20 mm
KM# 83, N# 9653

50 Centimes (Soccer)
2002
Non-circulating coin: Soccer
Aluminium • 2.2 g • ⌀ 26.97 mm
KM# 75, N# 7682

50 Centimes (Giraf, FAO)
2002
Non-circulating coin: FAO - 21st century food security
Aluminium • 2.18 g • ⌀ 27 mm
KM# 78, N# 6285