Congo Democratic Republic
Congo Democratic Republic new printer imprint 50-franc note (B319c) confirmed
02 05, 2019 06:48 Category: Africa
Like B319b, but new printer imprint at lower right back (G&D / Currency Technology). Prefix/suffix KE/B.
Courtesy of Bill Stubkjaer.
Congo Democratic Republic new 500-, 1,000-, and 5,000-franc notes reported for August 2018 introduction
02 07, 2018 18:29 Category: Africa
According to a press release dated 30 June 2018, in an effort to combat counterfeiting, the Banque Centrale du Congo intends to introduce new 500-, 1,000-, and 5,000-franc notes in August 2018, with larger denominations to follow in 2019. Existing notes will continue to circulate in parallel.
Congo Democratic Republic new sig/date (30.06.2013) 200-franc note (B321c) confirmed
06 03, 2018 15:07 Category: Africa
Like B321b, but new date (30.06.2013), new signature, and new imprint (GIESECKE & DEVRIENT / MUNICH). Prefix/suffix NC/L.
Courtesy of Andrew Roberts.
Congo Democratic Republic new printer 200-franc note (B321b) confirmed
17 08, 2017 11:29 Category: Africa
B321b: Like B321a, but new printer imprint (HOTEL DES MONNAIES) at lower right back. Prefix NC.
Courtesy of Hartmut Fraunhoffer (Banknote-Online).
Congo Democratic Republic new sig/date (30.06.2013) 20,000-franc note (B326b) confirmed
04 07, 2017 09:11 Category: Africa
B326b: Like B326a, but new date (30.06.2013) and new signature. Prefix/suffix T/B.
Courtesy of Andrew Roberts.
Congo Democratic Republic new sig/date (30.06.2013) 100-franc note (B320c) confirmed
01 07, 2017 09:47 Category: Africa
B320c: Like B320b, but new date (30.06.2013) and new signature. Prefix MD.
Courtesy of Andrew Roberts.
Congo Democratic Republic new sig/date (30.06.2013) 500-franc note (B317d) confirmed
18 06, 2017 08:42 Category: Africa
B317d: Like B317c, but new date (30.06.2013), new signature, and new printer imprint.
Courtesy of Claudio Marana.
Congo Democratic Republic new sig/date (30.06.2013) 10,000-franc note confirmed
27 01, 2015 09:41 Category: Africa
10,000 francs, 30.06.2013. Like BCC B25a, but new date and signature (Deogratias Mutombo Mwana Nyembo, who took over as governor from Jean-Claude Masangu Mulongo on 14.05.2013).
Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.
Congo Democratic Republic new sig/date (30.06.2013) 50-franc note confirmed
09 09, 2014 15:13 Category: Africa
50 francs, 30.06.2013. Like BCC B19a, but new date and new signature (Deogratias Mutombo Mwana Nyembo).
Courtesy of Claudio Marana.
Congo Democratic Republic new sig/date (30.06.2013) 5,000-franc note confirmed
01 07, 2014 13:44 Category: Africa
5,000 francs, 30.06.2013. Like BCC B24, but new date and new signature.
Courtesy of Claudio Marana.
Congo Democratic Republic new sig/date (30.06.2013) 1,000-franc note confirmed
20 12, 2013 14:01 Category: Africa
1,000 francs, 30.06.2013. Like BCC B23, but new date and signature (Deogratias Mutombo Mwana Nyembo, who took over as governor from Jean-Claude Masangu Mulongo on 14.05.2013).
Courtesy of Claudio Marana.
Congo Democratic Republic new 500-franc imprint variety confirmed
11 03, 2013 09:23 Category: Africa
500 francs, 04.01.2002. Like BCC B17 (P96), but with new imprint (orell füssli zürich) at lower right on back.
Courtesy of Piet van der Pijl.
Congo Democratic Republic new 20,000-franc note confirmed
10 03, 2013 16:27 Category: Africa
According to an article on L'Express dated 1 November 2012, the Banque Centrale du Congo has issued a new 20,000-franc (US$22) banknote.
BCC B26 (PNL): 20,000 francs (US$22)
Yellow. Front: RDC and map as registration device; two giraffes; carved head; holographic patch. Back: Palm trees; date clusters; two gray crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) birds; BCC and map. Windowed security thread with demetalized RD CONGO. Watermark: Leopard head. Printer: Unknown. 157 x 72 mm.
a. 18.02.06. Signature 1. Intro: 01.11.2012.
Courtesy of Ricardo Castedo (www.castedos.com).
Congo Democratic Republic new 10,000-franc note confirmed
20 08, 2012 16:25 Category: Africa
BCC B25 (PNL): 10,000 francs (US$11)
Violet. Front: BCC and map as registration device; two water buffalos; carved statuette; holographic patch. Back: Trees; bird on branch; BCC and map. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Leopard head and electrotype 10000. Printer: Unknown. 151 x 72 mm.
a. 18.02.06. Signature 1. Intro: 02.07.2012.
Courtesy of Yuri111 and Hartmut Fraunhoffer.
Congo Democratic Republic new 1,000-franc note confirmed
13 08, 2012 15:10 Category: Africa
BCC B23 (PNL): 1,000 francs (US$1.10)
Green. Front: BCC and map as registration device; two standing okapi; Kanioka carved box with two seated human figures and two lizards on lid. Back: Field of corn; parrot on branch; BCC and map. Windowed security thread with demetalized RD CONGO. Watermark: Okapi head and electrotype 1000. Printer: Unknown. 140 x 72 mm.
a. 02.02.05. Signature 1. Intro: 02.07.2012.
Replacment notes: Suffix Z.
Courtesy of Yuri111 and Richard Castedo (eBay listings).
Congo Democratic Republic new 5,000-franc note confirmed
02 08, 2012 14:34 Category: Africa
BCC B24 (PNL): 5,000 francs (US$5.40)
Brown. Front: BCC and map as registration device; zebras; Hemba statuette. Back: Food (perhaps cassava) bundles; two Congo peafowl birds; BCC and map. Windowed security thread with demetalized RD CONGO. Watermark: Okapi head and electrotype 5000. Printer: Unknown. 146 x 72 mm.
a. 02.02.05. Signature 1. Intro: 02.07.2012.
Courtesy of Yuri111.
Congo Democratic Republic to issue new 1,000-, 5,000-, and 10,000-franc notes 2 July 2012
10 06, 2012 09:20 Category: Africa
According to an article on Le Potentiel dated 6 June 2012, the Banque Centrale du Congo (Central Bank of Congo) plans to issue new 1,000-, 5,000-, and 10,000-franc notes on 2 July 2012, with face values of US$1.10, $5.40, and $11, respectively. Currently the largest denomination is 500 francs (B317).
Congo (Democratic Republic) chapter of The Banknote Book is now available
16 11, 2011 12:04 Category: The Banknote Book | Africa
The Congo (Democratic Republic) chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.
This 17-page catalog covers notes issued by the Conseil Monétaire de la République du Congo (Monetary Council of the Republic of Congo) from 1962 to 1963; the Banque Nationale du Congo (National Bank of Congo) from 1961to 1971; and the Banque Centrale du Congo (Central Bank of Congo) from 1997 to present. Revised 5 July 2015.
Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:
- Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
- Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
- Specific identification of all vignette elements
- Security features described in full
- Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
- Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
- Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
- Date reproduced exactly as on note
- Precise date of introduction noted when known
- Replacement note information
- Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
- Background information for historical and cultural context
- Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
- Bibliographic sources listed for further research
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If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.
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The Challenge: Identify dam on front of Congo 100-franc note
Today’s challenge is to identify the dam which appears on the front of the old 100-franc note of Congo Democratic Republic.
If you can precisely identify the name and location of this dam—or have a lead which you think might be useful—please post a comment, preferably including a URL which links to evidence supporting your identification.
This dam appears on the front of the 100-franc from 1963 (Pick 1):
IDENTIFIED: Ruzizi I hydroelectric dam on Ruzizi River between Congo and Rwanda.
For extra credit, please supply the precise name of this equipment which appears on the back of this note:
IDENTIFIED: Bucket chain excavator.
Courtesy of Frederick Martin.
If you can precisely identify the name and location of this dam—or have a lead which you think might be useful—please post a comment, preferably including a URL which links to evidence supporting your identification.
This dam appears on the front of the 100-franc from 1963 (Pick 1):
IDENTIFIED: Ruzizi I hydroelectric dam on Ruzizi River between Congo and Rwanda.
For extra credit, please supply the precise name of this equipment which appears on the back of this note:
IDENTIFIED: Bucket chain excavator.
Courtesy of Frederick Martin.
Congo Democratic Republic new 200-franc note confirmed
30 05, 2011 18:54 Category: Africa
200 francs (US$0.45), 31.07.2007. Like Pick 95, but instead of the bank initials embossed on the silvery round patch at lower center on the front, the initials are printed; and the note is lithographed front and back. Furthermore, new date and new printer imprint (GIESECKE & DEVRIENT MUNICH). Imprint is in lower right corner on the back, below the denomination. It’s hard to read without a magnifying glass. Available in varieites with 1- or 2-character prefixes.
Courtesy of Alexander Petrov.
Congo Democratic Republic new 500-franc variety/error confirmed
10 04, 2011 08:10 Category: Africa
500 francs (US$1.10), 04.01.2002. Like P96, but lacking the three diamonds to the left of the watermark area on the front (top image). Both notes bear the imprint of GIESECKE & DEVRIENT MUNICH (the imprint is very faint, printed at lower right on back).
I’m not sure if this is an error note or an intentional new variety. On the “normal” note (bottom image), the diamonds appear to be printed as part of the rest of the design, so it’s not as if the underprinting or an overprinting was omitted by mistake. It may be that the diamonds were removed to make the design of the note conform to the other denominations in this family, none of which have any similar elements in the same location. Does anyone else have examples of this note to report?
Courtesy of Andrew Roberts.
Congo Democratic Republic new 500-franc commemorative confirmed
28 07, 2010 12:31 Category: Africa | Commemorative
500 francs (US$1), 30.06.2010.
Green. Front: Port of Matadi with buildings, cranes, ships, and mountains; map. Back: Kinsuka bridge; 50th anniversary logo. Solid security thread with demetalized REP DEM DU CONGO. Watermark: Okapi head. Printer: Unknown. 151 x 70 mm.
This note has also been confirmed as a specimen with a diagonal red SPECIMEN overprint.
Banque Centrale du Congo issued 20 million notes to commemorate the country’s 50th anniversary of independence from Belgium. The commemoratives will circulate in parallel with the preceding notes of the same denomination.
Courtesy of Bill Stubkjaer, banknoteshop@gmx.net, and Hartmut Fraunhoffer.
Congo Democratic Republic new printer for 100-franc note confirmed
18 04, 2010 11:07 Category: Africa
100 francs (US$0.20), 31.07.2007. Like Pick 92, but instead of the bank initials embossed on the silvery round patch on the front, the initials are printed; and the note is lithographed front and back. Furthermore, new date and new printer imprint (GIESECKE & DEVRIENT MUNICH). Imprint is in lower right corner on the back, below the denomination. It’s hard to read without a magnifying glass.
Courtesy of Rui Manuel Palhares.
Congo Democratic Republic new printer for 10-franc note confirmed
17 04, 2010 08:15 Category: Africa
10 francs (US$0.02), 30.06.2003. Like Pick 93, but new printer (HOTEL DES MONNAIES B.C.C.). Imprint is in lower right corner on the back, below the denomination. It’s hard to read without a magnifying glass.
Courtesy of banknoteshop@gmx.net.
The Challenge: Identify Zaire and Congo DR note elements
Thanks to everyone who helped positively identify the following features which appear on the back of some banknotes from Zaire and the Congo Democratic Republic.
I find it curious that many countries are proud enough to feature certain places, people, and objects on their notes, yet they fail to label these vignettes. As a result, it’s possible that their significance may be lost on future generations. That’s why I strive to provide detailed identifications of all elements depicted on notes in my new catalog. If you enjoyed the detective work as much as I did, keep your eyes on this site for future hunts.
1. Identified: Inga I dam on Congo River.
2. Identified: Palais de la Nation in Kinshasa.
3. Identified: Palais Du Peuple in Kinshasa.
4. Identified: OEBK (Organization Équipage Banana-Kinshasa) suspension bridge (also known as Pont Maréchal) over the Congo River at port Matadi.
I find it curious that many countries are proud enough to feature certain places, people, and objects on their notes, yet they fail to label these vignettes. As a result, it’s possible that their significance may be lost on future generations. That’s why I strive to provide detailed identifications of all elements depicted on notes in my new catalog. If you enjoyed the detective work as much as I did, keep your eyes on this site for future hunts.
1. Identified: Inga I dam on Congo River.
2. Identified: Palais de la Nation in Kinshasa.
3. Identified: Palais Du Peuple in Kinshasa.
4. Identified: OEBK (Organization Équipage Banana-Kinshasa) suspension bridge (also known as Pont Maréchal) over the Congo River at port Matadi.
