Description
The Congolese franc is the official currency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The franc as a denomination was first introduced in 1887 as the Belgian colony of the Congo until 1967, when the zäire replaced it. After the First Congo War (1996 – 1997), the franc was reintroduced again, replacing the zäire. In 1998, notes were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centimes, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 francs, followed by the 200 francs note in 2000 500 francs note in 2002. In 2012, the “Banque Centrale du Congo” issued a new banknote series in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 francs.
The 50 Congolese note front design features a Tshokwe mask “Mwana Pwo”; represents a female ancestor, who symbolizes the fertility and essential role of women in Chokwe society, an ethnic group that inhabits the south-west of the democratic republic of the congo. Even though the mask represents a female, it is always worn by a male dancer. The “Banque Centrale du Congo” (Central Bank of Congo) symbol and de denomination completed the design. The reverse note side illustrates a fisherman’s village on the bank of the congo river, three common carp fishes and the denomination in English and Swahili (African language). This note is part of the 2007 – 2013 series, and its color is lilac and brown.
Text: Banque Centrale Du Congo,BCC, Le Gouverneur, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Giesecke & Devrient Munich, Un Village De Pecheurs Au Bord Du Fleuve Congo, Le Contrafacteur Est Puni De Servitude Penale, Makumi Tano, 50F, fifty, 50, Cinquante Francs, 30.08.2013.