By 1973, Angolan banknotes were being printed in Britain for a colonial administration that had less than two years left. The liberation war — the Guerra Colonial — had been grinding since 1961, and Portugal's Estado Novo regime was visibly exhausted. Bradbury Wilkinson, working from their New Malden facility, continued fulfilling contracts for Portuguese colonial territories well into the early 1970s, maintaining the same production standards regardless of the political trajectory of their clients.
The Carnation Revolution of April 1974 effectively ended the series. Angola gained independence in November 1975, and the Banco de Angola was reconstituted under the new state — making this note one of the last colonial-issue escudo denominations to see any meaningful circulation.
By 1973, Angolan banknotes were being printed in Britain for a colonial administration that had less than two years left. The liberation war — the Guerra Colonial — had been grinding since 1961, and Portugal's Estado Novo regime was visibly exhausted. Bradbury Wilkinson, working from their New Malden facility, continued fulfilling contracts for Portuguese colonial territories well into the early 1970s, maintaining the same production standards regardless of the political trajectory of their clients.
The Carnation Revolution of April 1974 effectively ended the series. Angola gained independence in November 1975, and the Banco de Angola was reconstituted under the new state — making this note one of the last colonial-issue escudo denominations to see any meaningful circulation.