Catalog
100 Dobras Independence
| Issuer | Banco Nacional de São Tomé e Príncipe |
|---|---|
| Year | 1985 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | The national coat of arms of São Tomé and Príncipe dominates the central field, depicting a shield charged with a palm tree, flanked by two African grey parrots with wings spread, and surmounted by a black star. Three scrolled ribbons above and below the shield bear the inscriptions 'REPÚBLICA', 'DEMOCRÁTICA DE S.TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE', and the national motto. The circular legend 'REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE S.TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE' arcs around the upper periphery, while the denomination '100 DOBRAS' is inscribed along the lower border. The motto words 'UNIDADE', 'DISCIPLINA', and 'TRABALHO' appear on the ribbons beneath the shield. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
São Tomé and Príncipe gained independence from Portugal on July 12, 1975, after centuries of colonial rule and a relatively bloodless transition negotiated largely through the Movimento de Libertação de São Tomé e Príncipe. The 1985 issue marks the tenth anniversary of that independence — a politically significant moment for a nation still consolidating its single-party state under the MLSTP. The dobra itself had only been introduced at independence, replacing the Portuguese escudo at par.
The Banco Nacional was established simultaneously with independence, making these early commemorative issues among the first assertions of autonomous monetary policy by one of Africa's smallest and most isolated island economies.