Catalog
2500 Dobras Independence
| Issuer | Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe |
|---|---|
| Year | 1977 |
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| Value | 2500 Dobras |
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| Obverse description | The national coat of arms of São Tomé and Príncipe occupies the central field, depicting a shield bearing a palm tree flanked by two African grey parrots as supporters, with wings displayed. Above the shield a five-pointed star surmounts the composition, and two scrolled banners bearing the mottoes REPÚBLICA and PRÍNCIPE flank the upper portion, with a further ribbon inscribed DEMOCRÁTICA DE S.TOMÉ arching across the top of the arms. The circular legend REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE S.TOMÉ E PRÍNCIPE runs along the upper periphery, the date 1977 appears in the upper field below the legend, and the denomination 2500 Dobras is inscribed along the lower rim. The motto UNIDADE · TRABALHO · DISCIPLINA appears on ribbons at the base of the arms. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse presents a figural scene commemorating the independence of São Tomé and Príncipe, depicting a group of figures in celebration or ceremonial gathering rendered in low relief across the entire field. The composition shows several standing and kneeling figures, suggestive of the proclamation of independence, with architectural or decorative elements in the background. The legend INDEPENDÊNCIA is inscribed along the lower exergue in capital letters, serving as the sole inscription on this face. |
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| Additional information |
São Tomé e Príncipe gained independence from Portugal on July 12, 1975, making this 1977 issue one of the earliest gold coinages struck in the new nation's name. The Banco Central itself had only just been established, and these early commemorative gold pieces were produced primarily for the international collector market — hard currency the young government needed badly.
KM#38 was struck in the same general program as several other denominations issued that year, all sharing the .900 fineness consistent with Portuguese colonial monetary tradition.