The Democratic Republic of Congo has had a troubled history from its earliest settlement and then through Belgian rule and even to today. It is a large country, connected and as one due to Belgian dominance after the European leaders ceded control of the area to King Leopold II of Belgium at the Berlin Conference in 1885. The Belgium Congo, as it was known at the time, was a personal possession of the King until 1908. During his ownership, he enabled Belgian companies to abuse the local people and strip the land of its rubber resources. The Congolese people continued to live under Belgian colonial rule until 1960. But independence did not bring peace. Internal strife and Nationalism led to government changes and even a change of the country’s name to Zaire under the rule of Mobutu. Fans of boxing might remember that name as the host of the Rumble in the Jungle- the 1974 boxing fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Zaire was renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997 after Mobutu was deposed, but fighting over the immense mineral resources and as a result of inter-tribal differences from within the Congo and from its neighboring countries. The result is that the 100 million+ Congolese people remain very poor and oppressed.
Source: AS
Congo Banknote History
The history of the Congolese banknotes is as complex as its own history. During the Belgian dominance, the Congo used Belgian Congo francs. In 1961, the National Bank of Congo introduced notes Belgian Congo francs. In 1962, the Monetary Council of the Republic of Congo introduced 1000 franc notes. These 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 its own notes.
Source: Banknote World Educational
Banknotes Over The Years
In 1967, Mobutu changed the currency name to the Zaire, the name he would change the Country to in 1971. During his reign, the Monetary Council issued many series of notes, but they all contained a portrait of Mobutu on the front. While most of the banknotes showed Mobutu as a military leader, a few show his in a more scholarly image. The 1971 5 Zaire (P-14a) was printed by Giesecke & Devrient in Germany and has a very different style than the previous notes Zairean notes printed by De LaRue. There is an image of a younger Mobutu, in a standard suit and tie. There is a cheetah also on the front and a dam on the reverse, emphasizing economic progress.
Source: Banknote World
Modern DR Congo Banknotes
In 1997, the country regained its name as the Democratic Republic of Congo and returned to use the name Franc and Centime for its currency. The themes were more colorful and focused on local flora and fauna. The 1997 100 franc (P-90) is pink and has a large elephant portrait on the front. On the reverse side, it has the same dam as the 1971 5 Zaire. In the year 2000, the DRC issued a new series printed at its own state printing works. The elephant remained on several banknotes but there was also liberal use of local artwork and landscapes. The new 50 Congolese franc shows an African mask on its front. In 2003 a new 10 franc showed more African masks, and the 20 franc shows a large portrait of a lion. Maybe the nicest Congolese banknote is the 1000 franc printed in 2005 (P-101). It is green and has images of several antelope or okapi, and a parrot. There is also a fascinating image of an African sculpture.
The DRC remains a poor and troubled nation. Its banknotes are in need to an update. Hopefully soon, the country will become more settled and we can see a new series of banknotes with more local artwork- or even a commemorative for 50 years since the Rumble in the Jungle.
