Description

Portuguese Angola was a colony of Portugal from 1575 to 1975, located in southern Africa along the Atlantic Ocean. During this period, Angola became a significant source of slaves for the transatlantic slave trade and was rich in natural resources like diamonds and oil. The struggle for independence grew in the mid-20th century, culminating in Angola gaining freedom on November 11, 1975, following the Carnation Revolution in Portugal. However, independence led to a brutal civil war between factions like the MPLA, FNLA, and UNITA, supported by Cold War powers. The war lasted until 2002, but Angola has since made substantial economic progress, with Portuguese remaining its official language and a lasting influence of Portuguese culture and heritage.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms of Portuguese Angola, encircled by the colony's name in Portuguese at the top, and the value positioned below.

The coats of arms of the Portuguese colonies were introduced in 1935. All arms were of the same model: divided vertically in such a way that two sub-shields are formed. The dexter was white with five small blue shields each bearing five white discs (i.e. Cinco Quinas, Five Quinas representing the motherland). The sinister represented the colony. The colonial sub-shields for Angola depicted a golden elephant above a golden zebra. In the base green and white waves to indicate the overseas location. To complete the badge, the arms were set upon a golden armillary sphere with a golden mural crown. The crown had 5 apparent towers in each tower charged an armillary sphere and in each space between towers charged Christ’s cross.

ANGOLA
2$50

Reverse

Depicts Portuguese escutcheon on upon a golden armillary sphere, name of country above, date below.

The coat of arms of Portugal is popularly referred as the Cinco Quinas (Five Quinas) or simply the Quinas (a quina being each of the five escutcheons in form of a cross with five bezants of the Portuguese shield). In the late 14th century, the number of bezants was fixed in five. Late explanations interpret them as the five wounds of Jesus Christ. The shield resting in front is composed of seven golden castles, which represent the Moorish castles conquered during the Reconquista. Behind the shield is an armillary sphere, which was a navigational instrument, and symbolizes Portugal's importance during the Age of Discovery.

REPÚBLICA·PORTUGUESA
1968

Edge
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 3.46 g
Diameter 20 mm
Thickness 1.46 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Portuguese Mint and Official Printing Office (INCM)

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