Congolese franc
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Congolese franc franc congolais (French) |
|||
|
|||
| ISO 4217 Code | CDF | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| User(s) | Democratic Republic of Congo | ||
| Inflation | 9% | ||
| Source | The World Factbook, 2004 est. | ||
| Subunit | |||
| 1/100 | centime | ||
| Symbol | Fr | ||
| Coins | 25, 50 centimes, 1 franc (see article) | ||
| Banknotes | 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 centimes, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 francs | ||
| Central bank | Banque Centrale du Congo | ||
| Website | www.bcc.cd | ||
The franc is the currency of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is subdivided into 100 centimes.
Contents |
[edit] First franc, 1887-1967
During Belgian colonial rule, currency denominated in centimes and francs was issued for use in Congo. These francs were equal in value to the Belgian franc. From 1916, the Congolese franc also circulated in Rwanda and Burundi. From 1952, the currency was issued bearing the names Belgian Congo (either "Congo Belge" or "Belgische Congo") and "Ruanda-Urundi".
In 1960, Rwanda and Burundi adopted their own franc, whilst, between 1960 and 1963, Katanga also issued its own franc.
The franc remained Congo's currency after independence until 1967, when the zaïre was introduced, at a rate of 1 zaïre = 1000 francs.
[edit] Coins
In 1887, holed, copper coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 10 centimes together with silver 50 centimes, 1, 2 and 5 francs. The silver coinage ceased in 1896. Holed, cupro-nickel 5, 10 and 20 centimes coins were introduced in 1906, with the remaining copper coins (1 and 2 centimes) minted until 1919. Cupro-nickel 50 centimes and 1 franc were introduced in 1921 and 1920, respectively.
The coinage of Belgian Congo ceased in 1929, only to be resumed in 1936 and 1937 for the issue of nickel-bronze 5 francs. In 1943, hexagonal, brass 2 francs coins were introduced, followed by round, brass 1, 2 and 5 francs and silver 50 francs between 1944 and 1947.
In 1952, brass 5 francs coins were issued carrying the name "Ruanda-Urundi" for the first time. Aluminium 50 centimes, 1 and 5 francs followed between 1954 and 1957. In 1965, the only franc-denominated coins of the first Democratic Republic of Congo were issued, aluminium 10 francs.
As with Belgium's own coins, some types were issued in two distinct versions, one with French legends, the other with Flemish legends.
[edit] Banknotes
In 1896, the Independent State of Congo issued 10 and 100 francs notes. In 1912, the Bank of Belgian Congo introduced 20 and 1000 francs, followed by 1, 5 and 100 francs notes in 1914. The 1 franc notes were only printed until 1920, whilst 10 francs notes were introduced in 1937. 500 francs were introduced in the 1940s, with 10,000 francs introduced in 1942.
In 1952, the Central Bank of Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi introduced notes for 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 francs, with 500 and 1000 francs added in 1953.
In 1961, the National Bank of Congo introduced notes for 20, 50, 100, 500 and 100 francs, some of which were issued until 1964. In 1962, the Monetary Council of the Republic of Congo introduced 1000 francs notes, which were notes of the Central Bank of Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi overprinted with the Monetary Council's name. In 1963, the Monetary Council issued regular type 100 and 5000 francs notes.
[edit] Second franc, 1997-
The franc was re-established in 1997, replacing the new zaïre at a rate of 1 franc = 100,000 new zaïres.
[edit] Coins
There are numerous designs of 25 centimes, 50 centimes and 1 franc coins made of non-precious metal. However, since the reestablishment of the Congolese franc, use of coins has been discontinued.
[edit] Banknotes
In 1997, banknotes were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 francs. 200 francs notes were introduced in 2000, followed by 500 francs in 2002.
[edit] References
- Chester L. Krause & Clifford Mishler (1991). in Colin R. Bruce II: Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1801-1991, 18th ed., Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-150-1.
- Albert Pick (1994). in Neil Shafer & Colin R. Bruce II: Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, General Issues, 7th ed., Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-207-9.
[edit] External links
- Don's World Coin Gallery - Zaire
- Ron Wise's World Paper Money - Zaire Mirror site
- Tables of Modern Monetary Systems by Kurt Schuler - Zaire Mirror site
- Global Financial Data currency histories table
- The Global History of Currencies - Democratic Republic of Congo
- Zaire currency from country data.com
- Centime banknotes
- Franc banknotes
| Use Yahoo! Finance: | AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD |
| Use XE.com: | AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD |
| Use OANDA.com: | AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD |
|
|
|
|---|---|
| Current | Burundian franc · CFA franc (Central African CFA franc · West African CFA franc) · CFP franc · Comorian franc · Congolese franc · Djiboutian franc · Guinean franc · Liechtenstein frank · Rwandan franc · Swiss franc · UIC franc |
| Defunct | Algerian franc · Belgian franc · Cambodian franc · French Camerounian franc · French franc · Katangan franc · Gold franc · Luxembourgish franc · Malagasy franc · Malian franc · Monegasque franc · Moroccan franc · New Hebrides franc · Réunion franc · Rwanda and Burundi franc · Saar franc · Tunisian franc · Westphalian Frank |
| Hypothetical | US occupation franc |
