Catalog
10 Francs
| Issuer | Banque de la République de Katanga |
|---|---|
| Year | 1960 |
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| Reference(s) | P#NL |
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|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | BANQUE DE LA REPUBLIQUE DE KATANGA 10 DIX FRANCS PAYABLES A VUE UN DIRECTEUR LE GOUVERNEUR LE CONTREFACTEUR EST PUNI DE SERVITUDE PENALE THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED |
| Reverse description | The reverse is printed in black on plain white paper and relies entirely on geometric lathe-work for its ornamental effect: a large central guilloche medallion of interlaced diamond and lozenge forms is flanked symmetrically by two feather-like radiating fan motifs. Denomination numerals 10 appear at the left and right margins, while the issuer's title is set in roman capitals across the top and DIX FRANCS in large letters across the lower centre. The printer's imprint is typeset in small capitals beneath the denomination. |
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| Comments |
The Banque de la République de Katanga had one of the shortest institutional lives in African monetary history. Moise Tshombe declared Katangan secession from the newly independent Congo in July 1960, and the breakaway state's own currency followed almost immediately — an assertive move designed to cut Léopoldville out of Katanga's copper revenues, which then accounted for roughly half of the entire Congo's export earnings.
Thomas De La Rue's involvement meant the notes arrived with technical credibility the young issuer could not have produced domestically. The secession collapsed in January 1963 under UN pressure, giving this series a circulation window of under three years.