Large collection of 1&5 franc 1961 Congo Katanga Bronze coins

President Moise Tshombe of the Congo (Leopoldville) seceded Katanga from the federated state proposed by Patrice Lumumba in 1960. Tshombe was forced into exile in 1963. He returned and served as Prime Minister of The Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1964 to 1965. Tshombe died in 1969.

In 1961, Tshombe struck two bronze coins, in one- and five-franc denominations. In 1963 Katanga was reunited with the Congo. The Katanga coin is unique because it is the first and only legal issue in a nation recognized by Africa, but not The United Nations. The single small issue that was minted in 1961 is rare today. These coins were collected in 1964 when only a handful were in circulation, mostly in inaccessible villages. This collection is probably the largest in the world.

These coins are in very fine or better condition with a KM#1&2 and Schon#1&2. One side has “KATANGA” engraved on the half perimeter with two small crosses on the other half perimeter and a banana stalk in relief centered. The reverse shows the Katangese Cross (also referred to as the Baluba Cross), BANQUE NATIONALE, the denomination (1FR or 5FR) and date stamp (1961), all in relief. The five franc is 26.35 mm diameter and weighs 6.54g; the one franc is 22 mm diameter and weighs 4.7g.

This collection has:

788 - 5 franc coins (18 sheets, 42 coins/sheet + 32).

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  CANADA 25 Cents 1894 Very Good-8 Another SCARCE Date . . .

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  PANAMA 2008 CHIKDREN HOSPITAL 1/4 BALBOA

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  1870 BELGIUM 2 CENTS

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  1948 France 10 Francs AU #4

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