The Democratic Republic of the Congo — freshly renamed after Laurent-Désiré Kabila ousted Mobutu in 1997 — became one of several African nations issuing commemorative coinage honoring Diana, Princess of Wales following her death in August 1997. These pieces were produced speculatively for the collector market, not for circulation, and were minted by private contract manufacturers rather than any sovereign facility. The Banque Centrale du Congo lent its authority nominally; the commercial impetus came entirely from abroad.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo — freshly renamed after Laurent-Désiré Kabila ousted Mobutu in 1997 — became one of several African nations issuing commemorative coinage honoring Diana, Princess of Wales following her death in August 1997. These pieces were produced speculatively for the collector market, not for circulation, and were minted by private contract manufacturers rather than any sovereign facility. The Banque Centrale du Congo lent its authority nominally; the commercial impetus came entirely from abroad.