UNUSUAL COINS OF CABINDA 1975-2020

UNUSUAL COINS
OF CABINDA
1975-2022
UNUSUAL COINS
OF CABINDA
1975-2022
Anton Andreev
Moscow
2023
Dr. Anton Yu. Andreev
Unusual coins of Cabinda 1975-2022. Moscow, 2023. - 64 p.
2nd edition, June 2023.
The Catalog contains a detailed description and illustrations of 116 unusual coins and 6 souvenir
banknotes issued informally under the name of Cabinda during 2001-2022.
The Catalog addresses to professional numismatists, exonumia collectors, researchers on the
economy and culture of Angola and South Africa.
Any feedback upon the edition should be sent to antand@mail.ru.
Anton Andreev, 2023.
Cover photos:
Cabinda’s seashore (Camera Press, Jan Kopec, 1975),
Fish Market near Cabinda city (Dmitry Koyda, 2019).
2
The independence of Cabinda, now a province of Angola in South Africa, was proclaimed by the
leaders of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) 1 on August 1, 1975 during
the Angolan Civil War2. A few months later, in November 1975, the military forces of recently
proclaimed People's Republic of Angola overthrew the provisional government of Cabinda.
Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Since then, for almost 50 years, low intensity fighting has been going on between the proindependence guerrilla groups of Cabinda and the Angolan authorities.
At various times, various military and political movements declared themselves the «official
authorities»3 of Cabinda. Several governments in exile have been formed.
Since 1975, Cabinda has officially been one of the 18 provinces of the Republic of Angola.
Cabinda's own coins and banknotes do not exist, the national currency of the Republic of Angola
is used in monetary circulation on the territory of Cabinda4.
Meanwhile, in 2001-2022, almost 120 different unusual coins5 and 6 souvenir banknotes with
Cabinda symbols appeared on the international numismatic market. There is no reliable
information about mintage, producer and beneficiary of these issues.
These items have been never used in monetary circulation, are not legal tender in the territory of
modern Angola, including the territory of Cabinda. Therefore they cannot be considered coins
and banknotes.
Frente para a Libertação do Enclave de Cabinda (in Portuguese).
The military conflict between the movements for the independence of Angola began in the spring of 1975. The main
participants were: the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) with the support of Cuban
internationalist soldiers and the military-technical support of the USSR; the National Front for the Liberation of
Angola (FNLA) with the support of Zaire (Republic of the Congo), the USA, France; the National Union for the
Complete Independence of Angola (UNITA) with the support of South Africa and the USA. Portugal played special
role and, before and after the 1974 revolution, supported various military-political movements of Angola and
Cabinda in the fight against MPLA.
3 The official authorities in the context of the Catalog are military and political forces to provide monetary circulation
within the territory under its control de facto.
4 From January 1977 to September 1990 it was kwanza of the People's Republic of Angola (PRA) (AOK). From 1990
to 1992 it was new kwanza of the PRA (AON). From 1992 to 1999 it was new kwanza of the Republic of Angola
(AON), and in parallel from 1995 to 1999 it was adjusted kwanza of the Republic of Angola (AOR). From December
1999 and to date it has been kwanza of the Republic of Angola (AOA).
5 Unusual coin (or fantasy coin) in the context of the Catalog is a non-legal tender souvenir token which bears all the
main visual features of a coin (i.e. face value, symbolism of the issuing state). However, the issuing state designated
on the souvenir token either does not exist, or does not officially recognize the token as a legal tender on its territory.
As a rule, the token producer is unknown.
1
2
3
Introduction
The Catalog of unusual coins consists of 3 sections:
Unusual coins under the name of Cabinda 2001-2022…………………………….…………… 5
Souvenir banknotes under the name of Cabinda 2013-2014…..……………………………… 53
Cinderella stamps under the name of Cabinda 2000-2012….………………………………… 60
We present items in each section by chronological order. For the first time ever we present
original pictures and photos used in the design of most of unusual coins and souvenir banknotes.
The number corresponds to Krause Catalog or Numista online catalog6.
The Catalog contains additional information on Cinderella stamps under the name of Cabinda
issued during 2000-2012.
We give a price guide for unusual coin or souvenir banknote in excellent condition (Uncirculated,
UNC) according to market prices of the largest Russian and international auctions and estimates
of numismatic platforms www.numista.com and www.ucoin.net:
C (Common)
S (Scarce)
R (Rare)
RR (Very rare)
RRR (Extremely rare)
USD 1 – 10
USD 11 - 100
USD 101 - 1 000
USD 1001 - 10 000
USD 10 001 – 100 000
The size of the image in the Catalog could differ from original size of unusual coin or souvenir
banknote.
KM#100 for the coin, P#100 for the banknote, X#100 for the token due to Krause catalog, or N#000 due to Numista
online catalog. We put #000 in case there is no description in the catalog.
6
4
Most of unusual coins under the name of Cabinda were issued on behalf of the «Bank of Cabinda»
(Banco de Cabinda, BC) during 2001-2020 without specifying the state. There is no reliable
information on mintage, producer and beneficiary of these issues.
Normally the quality of unusual coins is low, both from a technical and artistic point of view.
Unusual coins by BC bear no secret images, high relief or inscriptions on the edge. To reduce
production costs, each unusual coin is made of steel, brass or aluminum. The «bi-metallic» and
«tri-metallic» Cabinda unusual coins are made of a whole metal piece, partially electroplated with
copper, brass or nickel.
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
UNUSUAL COINS. 2001-2022
To increase the demand from coin collectors and exonumists, unusual coins can have unusual
shape of triangle, quadrangle, hexagon, and octagon.
Unusual coins were issued in series within one year, as well as in separate commemorative miniseries of 1-3 pieces, including ones in honor of the independence of Cabinda, of the introduction
of the Cabinda currency, of the international organizations (UN7, UNICEF8, FAO9, WWF10,
CPLP11) and sports events in Brazil12 and South Africa13.
The face value of commemorative unusul coin can be consonant with the anniversary date: 30
centavo in honor of the 30th anniversary of the independence of Cabinda in 2005, or 9.5 real in
the year of the death of Nelson Mandela at the age of 95 in 2013.
The main motives in the design of unusual coins are marine fauna and wildlife. As prototypes,
unknown designers used publicly available photographs, illustrations by famous animal artists,
plots of postage stamps of Angola, Portuguese Angola and Portuguese Mozambique of different
years.
The «Bank of Cabinda» mystified a «currency reform» for two times, having replaced «national
currency»: in January 2009 escudo and centavo were substituted by real and avo, and in January
2019 the latter were substituted by makuta and centimo.
United Nations. Founded in 1945.
United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. Founded in 1946.
9 UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Founded in 1945.
10 World Wildlife Fund is international public organization for the protection, research and restoration of the
environment. Founded in 1961.
11 Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa (in Portuguese) – Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
It consists of Portugal and its former colonies Angola, Brazil, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique,
Sao Tome and Principe and Equatorial Guinea. Founded in 1996.
12 Angola and Brazil, former Portuguese colonies, traditionally have strong economic, political and cultural ties. In
November 1975, Brazil became the first state to recognize the independence of the People's Republic of Angola.
13 During the Angolan Civil War, the South African authorities supported the FNLA and UNITA military forces,
which FLEC partisans were situationally allianced with in the north of Angola.
7
8
5
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
In addition, 2 independent series of unusual coins were issued on behalf of the «National Bank
of Cabinda» (Banco Nacional de Cabinda, BNC).
The first series was produced in 2011 in the interests of one of the founders of FLEC, President of
FLEC-FAC14 and «President of the Republic of Cabinda» Henrique N'Zita Tiago (*1927-†2016).
4 unusual coins of the «Republic of Cabinda» were issued, denominated in the escudo of Cabinda
(or ibinda escudo). Each one has a prominent original design and relatively high quality: unusual
coins are made of multicomponent composition, bear high relief and inscriptions on the edge.
The second series was produced in 2021 in the interests of the founder of the Liberation Front of
the Cabinda State (F.L.E.C.)15, the former representative of FLEC-FAC in Paris (France), General
Antonio Luis Lopes.
3 unusual coins of the «Republic of Cabinda» were issued, denominated in Cabinda dollars. Each
one is 3D-printed with PLA by cutting-edge technologies.
For more than 20 years since the first issue, not a single unusual coin under the name of Cabinda
made of silver, gold, or another precios metal has been minted.
Unusual coins have been never used in monetary circulation, and are not legal tender on the
territory of Angola and of Cabinda province.
Frente para a Libertação do Enclave de Cabinda - Forças Armadas de Cabinda (in Portuguese) was a militarypolitical fraction formed after the reform of FLEC in the mid-1990s.
15 Frente de Libertação do Estado de Cabinda (in Portuguese).
14
6
The currency chosen was «convertible escudo of Cabinda»16, equal to 100 centavos, with a tight
peg to the US dollar at a rate of 1 to 1.
Each obverse bears BC logo with the letters «BC» and two crossed tridents17, and «LIBERDADE»18
inscription. While each reverse normally bears the image of marine fauna.
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
2001
The issue of the first series of 4 unusual coins on behalf of the «Bank of Cabinda» (BC) took place
in August 2001, roughly coinciding with the end of the active phase of the Angolan Civil War.
Unusual coins bear no name of the state of Cabinda.
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 centavo
2001
brass
3.5-3.6 g
17.8-18.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#1
BC logo
Shrimp
reeded
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 centavo
2001
brass
4.3 g
19.7-20.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#2
BC logo
Jellyfish
reeded
C
Fig. 1. 1 centavo 2001 unusual coin
Fig. 2. 5 centavo 2001 unusual coin
The Escudo was the monetary unit of Portuguese Angola from 1914 to 1928, and from 1958 to 1977 until the
introduction of the Angolan kwanza. 1 escudo was equal to 100 centavos.
17 Fishing is the third most important sector of the Angolan economy after oil and diamond production.
18 Liberty (in Portuguese).
16
7
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 centavo
2001
steel, nickel
5.5 g
21.7-22.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#3
BC logo
Squid
reeded
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
50 centavo
2001
steel, nickel
6.3-6.44 g
23.9-24.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#4
BC logo
Stingray
reeded
C
Fig. 3. 10 centavo 2001 unusual coin
Fig. 4. 50 centavo 2001 unusual coin
2003
Unusual coins by convertible escudo of Cabinda were minted only 2 years after the issue of the
first series.
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 5. 1 escudo 2003 unusual coin
8
1 escudo
2003
steel, brass, copper
8.1-8.2 g
25.9-26.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#5
BC logo
Atlantic pomfret
smooth
C
2 ½ escudo
2003
steel, brass, nickel
8.9-9.1 g
28.0-28.1 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#6
BC logo
Angelfish
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 6. 2 ½ escudo 2003 unusual coin
To cut costs, most of «bi-metallic» unusual coins are made of a whole metal piece, partially
electroplated with copper, nickel or brass, but not with a centerpiece and an outer ring of
contrasting alloys.
Fig. 6.1. Vanishing of nickel electroplating on 2 ½ escudo 2003 unusual coin
2005
To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the independence of Cabinda, a series of 2 unusual
coins was minted:
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 7. 30 centavo «30 Years of Independence of Cabinda» 2005 unusual coin
30 centavo
2005
steel, nickel
5.9-6.0 g
30.0 * 30.0 * 30.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#9
Simulambuc Monument19
2 Piranhas
reeded
C
Monument in honor of the Simulambuc Treaty, signed in February 1885 between the representatives of the nobility
of Cabinda and the Portuguese authorities, to establish the Portuguese protectorate over the territory of Cabinda.
Already in April 1885, following the Berlin Conference on the Division of Africa between the European leading
countries, part of the coastal territory of Cabinda was transferred to the Congo Free State, and the status of Cabinda
was downgraded to a colony under the name Portuguese Congo. Nevertheless, the fighters for the independence of
Cabinda from Angola normally appeal to the Simulambuc Treaty.
19
9
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 escudo
2005
steel, brass, nickel
10.3-10.4 g
29.6-30.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#7
BC logo
Hypostomus
smooth
C
Fig. 8. 5 escudo 2005 unusual coin
Fig. 8.1. Hypostomus (Hypostomus asperatus) (François-Louis Laporte, 1856)
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 9. 5 escudo «30 Years of Independence of Cabinda» 2005 unusual coin
5 escudo
2005
steel, brass, nickel
9.9-10.4 g
29.6-30.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#10
Simulambuc Monument
Tropical fishes
smooth
C
In the design of this unusual coin, one can find a publicly available photo of tropical fishes:
Fig. 9.1. Tropical fishes
10
Fig. 9.2. Vanishing of nickel electroplating on 5 escudo
2005 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
7 ½ escudo
2005
brass
34.6-35.3 g
30.1 * 60.2 mm
1 500
n.a.
X#8
Fish, pig, rooster, ears
BC logo
smooth
S
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Another unusual coin commemorates the 60th Anniversary of FAO and its «Grow more food»
program20:
Fig. 10. 7 ½ escudo «60 Years of F.A.O. Grow more food» 2005 unusual coin
2006
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
2 centavo
2006
steel, copper
4.6 g
20.0 * 20.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#11
BC logo
Sea shell
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
25 centavo
2006
steel, nickel
5.0 g
26.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#12
BC logo
Mozambique Tilapia
smooth
C
Fig. 11. 2 centavo 2006 unusual coin
Fig. 12. 25 centavo 2006 unusual coin
Produza mais comida (in Portuguese) was one of FAO program mottos. Since 1968, many world countries have
issued commemorative coins, medals and postage stamps under the auspices of the FAO. Part of the income from
the sales goes to the FAO programs. However, representatives of the FAO do not confirm any connection to the
issuer of unusual coins under the name of Cabinda.
20
11
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Fig. 12.1. Poor-quality electroplating on 25 centavo 2006 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 13. 10 escudo «5 Years of National Coins of Cabinda» 2006 unusual coin
10 escudo
2006
steel, brass, nickel
46.9-47.0 g
49.0-51.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#13
12 unusual coins of
Cabinda21
Swordfish
reeded
S
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
10 escudo
2006
steel, brass, copper
46.9-47.0 g
49.0-51.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
12 unusual coins of
Cabinda
Reverse
Swordfish
Edge
reeded
Price (UNC)
S
Fig. 13.1. Variety of 10 escudo «5 Years of National Coins of Cabinda» 2006 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
10 escudo
2006
steel, copper, nickel
46.9-47.0 g
49.0-51.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
12 unusual coins of
Cabinda
Reverse
Swordfish
Edge
reeded
Price (UNC)
S
Fig. 13.2. Variety of 10 escudo «5 Years of National Coins of Cabinda» 2006 unusual coin
21
12
Obverse bears an image of 5 escudo 2005 unusual coin with mirror image of hypostomus (see Fig. 8).
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 centavo
2008
steel, copper
3.0 g
17.5-17.9 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#14
Cocoa bean, BC logo
Shrimp
reeded
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
2008
Series of 10 unusual coins commemorates FAO and its «Food for all»22 program.
Fig. 14. 1 centavo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
Fig. 14.1. Variety of the obverse of 1 centavo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
2 centavo
2008
steel, copper
4.5 g
25.0 * 26.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#15
Fruit, BC logo
Sea shell
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 centavo
2008
steel, brass
3.7 g
20.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#16
Raspberry, BC logo
Jellyfish
reeded
C
Fig. 15. 2 centavo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
Fig. 16. 5 centavo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
22
Alimentos para todos (in Portuguese).
13
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 centavo
2008
steel, brass
4.3 g
21.5-21.8 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#17
Ananas, BC logo
Squid
reeded
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
25 centavo
2008
steel, nickel
5.0 g
24.0-26.6 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#18
Bananas, BC logo
Mozambique Tilapia
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
50 centavo
2008
steel, nickel
6.3-6.4 g
23.9-24.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#19
Bees, BC logo
Stingray
reeded
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 escudo
2008
steel, brass, copper
6.7 g
25.0-26.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#20
Rooster, BC logo
Atlantic pomfret
smooth
C
Fig. 17. 10 centavo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
Fig. 18. 25 centavo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
Fig. 19. 50 centavo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
Fig. 20. 1 escudo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
14
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 escudo
2008
steel, brass, copper
16.9 g
37.0-38.1 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#24
10 unusual coins of
Cabinda
Pomfret, years of
previous series
reeded
S
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
2 ½ escudo
2008
steel, brass, nickel
7.9 g
28.1 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#21
Rabbit, BC logo
Angelfish
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 escudo
2008
steel, brass, nickel
9.3-9.6 g
29.5-30.5 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#22
Pig, BC logo
Hypostomus
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
7 ½ escudo
2008
steel, copper, nickel
10.4 g
32.9-34.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#23
Frog, BC logo
Angelfish
smooth
C
Reverse
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Fig. 21. «Last escudo» 2008 unusual coin
Fig. 22. 2 ½ escudo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
Fig. 23. 5 escudo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
Fig. 24. 7 ½ escudo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
15
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Fig. 24.1. Poor-quality nickel electroplating on 7 ½ escudo «Food for all» 2008 unusual coin
2009
In January 2009, the «Bank of Cabinda», in order to «improve the economy», mystified the
«reform of the monetary system». As a result, the convertible escudo was replaced with real23,
equal to 100 avo, at a rate of 5 to 1.
All the 8 unusual coins of 2009 bear the images designed by famous American animal artist Diane
Rome Peebles24.
The fish depicted live in the Gulf of Mexico or in the Western Atlantic Ocean and have nothing
common with Angola or South Africa.
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 avo
2009
steel, copper
2.7 g
15.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#25
BC logo
Redtail snapper
smooth
C
Fig. 25. 1 avo 2009 unusual coin
Fig. 25.1. Redtail snapper (Lutjanus synagris) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1992-1998)
Real (reis) was a currency of Portuguese Angola before 1914, when it was replaced for escudo with 1 000 reis (1
milreis) to 1 escudo rate.
24 See http://dianepeebles.com/index.html (accessed - 15.02.2023). The author gave no permission to use the images
in the design of unusual coins under the name of Cabinda.
23
16
2 avo
2009
steel, copper
3.9 g
17.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#26
BC logo
Permit
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 26. 2 avo 2009 unusual coin
Fig. 26.1. Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1992-1998)
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 avo
2009
steel, brass
5.5 g
21.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#27
BC logo
Bank sea bass
smooth
C
Fig. 27. 5 avo 2009 unusual coin
Fig. 27.1. Bank sea bass (Centropristis ocyurus) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1992-1998)
17
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 avo
2009
steel, brass
6.9 g
23.5-24.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#28
BC logo
Atlantic bumper
smooth
C
Fig. 28. 10 avo 2009 unusual coin
Fig. 28.1. Atlantic bumper (Chloroscombrus chrysurus) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1992-1998)
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 29. 20 avo 2009 unusual coin
Fig. 29.1. Gafftopsail catfish (Bagre marinus) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1992-1998)
18
20 avo
2009
steel, nickel
9.0 g
27.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#29
BC logo
Gafftopsail catfish
smooth
C
50 avo
2009
steel, nickel
10.8 g
29.5-30.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#30
BC logo
Grey triggerfish
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 30. 50 avo 2009 unusual coin
Fig. 30.1. Grey triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1992-1998)
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 real
2009
steel, brass, nickel
9.5-9.6 g
28.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#31
BC logo
Gulf flounder
smooth
C
Fig. 31. 1 real 2009 unusual coin
Fig. 31.1. Gulf flounder (Paralichthys albigutta) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1992-1998)
19
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
2 real
2009
steel, copper, nickel
12.3-12.4 g
31.5 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#32
BC logo
Hogfish
smooth
C
Fig. 32. 2 real 2009 unusual coin
Fig. 32.1. Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1992-1998)
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
4 real
2009
steel, copper, nickel
18.3 g
46.5 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#33
Crab
2 unusual coins of
Cabinda25
smooth
S
Fig. 33. 4 real «Currency reform in Cabinda» 2009 unusual coin
Fig. 33.1. Examples of electroplating shift on 4 real «Currency reform in Cabinda» 2009 unusual coin
25
20
Reverse bears the image of 5 escudo 2005 unsual coin with mirror image of hypostomus (see Fig. 8).
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
½ avo
2010
aluminum
0.4 g
13.1 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#34
BC logo
Eel
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
2010
Fig. 34. ½ avo 2010 unusual coin
To commemorate World Soccer Championship in South Africa26 in 2010, a series of 2 unusual
coins was minted:
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 35. ½ avo «World Soccer Championship in South Africa» 2010 unusual coin
½ avo
2010
aluminum
0.4 g
13.1 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#138403
BC logo
Soccer ball
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 36. 2 ½ real «World Soccer Championship in South Africa» 2010 unusual coin
2 ½ real
2010
steel, copper, nickel
8.0-12.4 g
28.8-33.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#337803
Map of Africa, Ball
Balls
smooth with notches
C
In January 2010 Angola hosted the 27th African Cup of Nations in Soccer. The games were also held at the Estádio
Nacional do Chiazi stadium in Cabinda City. However, no unusual coin appeared to commemorate this event.
26
21
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 real
2010
steel, brass, nickel
11.0 g
28.5-29.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#35
BC logo
Tuna
smooth with notches
C
Fig. 37. 5 real 2010 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 38. 5 real «35 Years of Independence of Cabinda» 2010 unusual coin
5 real
2010
steel, brass, nickel
11.0-14.7 g
28.5-29.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
X#36
AK-74, Map of Cabinda
BC logo
smooth with notches
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 real
2010
steel, copper, nickel
14.1-14.3 g
33.4 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
UN logo
World map
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
7 avo
2011
steel, copper
4.9 g
20.0 * 20.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
Map of Africa
BC logo
smooth
C
Fig. 39. 10 real «65 Years of UN» 2010 unusual coin
2011
Fig. 40. 7 avo «7 billion of us» 2011 unusual coin
22
70 avo
2011
aluminum
n.a.
23.0-24.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
Human footprints
BC logo
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 real
2011
steel, brass, nickel
8.8 g
28.3 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
Child’s smile
UNICEF logo
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 41. 70 avo «7 billion of us» 2011 unusual coin
Fig. 42. 1 real «65 Years of UNICEF» 2011 unusual coin
Fig. 42.1. Vanishing of electroplating on 1 real «65 Years of UNICEF» 2011 unusual coin
Face value
1 ½ real
Year
2011
Composition
steel, copper, nickel
Weight
12.6 g
Diameter
32.0-33.0 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Mint
n.a.
Number
N#242477
Obverse
CPLP logo
Reverse
Elephant
Edge
smooth with notches
Price (UNC)
C
Fig. 43. 1 ½ real «15 Years of Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries» 2011 unusual coin
23
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
3 real
2011
steel, copper, nickel
21.9 g
32.5-34.6 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#167941
WWF logo
Animals
smooth with notches
C
Fig. 44. 3 real «50 Years of WWF» 2011 unusual coin
This item was minted and could be purchased27 along with a similar one of Redonda28:
Fig. 44.1. 2 dollars «50 Years of WWF» 2011 unusual coin under the name of Redonda
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
7 real
2011
aluminum, brass
8.6 g
33.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#298669
Family
BC logo
smooth
C
Fig. 45. 7 real «7 billion of us»29 2011 unusual coin
For instance, at Joel Anderson (USA) numismatic online-store.
See https://www.joelscoins.com/nationsnon.htm (accessed – 15.02.2023).
28 Redonda is an uninhabited island in the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. On its territory, in 1865 a virtual state
of the «Kingdom of Redonda» was proclaimed.
29 According to UN estimates, the world population reached 7 billion people in 2011. The UN Population Fund
(UNFPA) officially designated the «7 Billion Day» on October 31, 2011.
27
24
The issue became part of the long-term adventure of Rui Gabirro (Rui Alexandre Pires Costa
Galvao Gabirro), who participated in various Masonic lodges since 1995 to organize pseudoMasonic lodges on his own soon after30.
Back in 1995, Gabirro declared himself the Duke of Cabinda Alexander, and in 2005-2006, already
under the pseudonym Mangovo Ngoyo (Ma N'Govo N'Goyo Mwana Kabinda31), became a
member of the Cabinda Government in exile.
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
The series of 4 unusual coins of the «Republic of Cabinda» on behalf of the Cabinda National
Bank (BNC) was issued at the end of 2011.
In 2006, Gabirro created a website dedicated to the history of Cabinda (http://cabinda.net), and
designed the flag and coat of arms of the Republic of Cabinda. In February 2006, on behalf of one
of the founders of FLEC, President of FLEC-FAC and «President of the Republic of Cabinda»
Henrique N'Zita Tiago (*1927-†2016), Gabirro announced foundation of BNC. The
«management» of BNC included the Chairman (Mangovo Ngoyo himself), 2 unknown deputies
and 8 unknown directors.
In October 2006, Gabirro announced32 a Cabinda currency introduction. It was ibinda33, equal to
100 cents, with a tight peg to the Central African franc (CFA franc, XAF) at a rate of 1 to 1. In the
same 2006, the «currency» changed its name to «escudo of Cabinda».
After a long pause due to participation in other projects, in 2011-2013 Gabirro produced a lowmintage series of unusual coins under the name of Cabinda. Its distribution was from the UK34.
Gabirro declared all the other earlier series of unusual coins of Cabinda to be «fakes».
Since 2014 Gabirro has been publishing the books on a history of medicine. Living in Brazil, he
offers pseudo-medical pay courses as a «professor» and «emunctologist»35.
Each unusual coin has a prominent original design and relatively high quality in comparison to
unusual coins of other series of 2001-2021.
Unusual coins are made of bronze, partially silver and gold gilted. Edge bears «KINGDOMS OF
LOANGO, KAKONGO, N'GOYO»36 inscription.
See https://issuu.com/fakemason/docs/gabirros_frauds (accessed – 15.02.2023).
«Ma N’Govo N’Goyo» or «Mangovo za Ngoyo» - «a noble man, responsible in the Kingdom of Ngoyo for foreign
relations» (Mulinda 1993). «Mwana Kabinda» means «a son of Cabinda» in Swahili.
32 See http://cabinda.net/CNB.htm (accessed - 15.10.2016).
33 Ibinda was a combination of several dialects of the Bantu language spoken in Cabinda.
34 One could purchase those unusual coins at www.AfricaStamps.org with a payment via PayPal.
35 See http://www.volksmed.org/About.htm (accessed – 15.02.2023).
36 The Kingdoms of Loango, Kakongo and Ngoyo existed on the territory of the modern Republic of the Congo, the
Democratic Republic of Congo and the province of Cabinda (Angola) in the XV-XIX centuries. In 1885, the Treaty of
Simulambuc with Portugal united Kakongo and Ngoyo territories into the Portuguese protectorate of Cabinda.
30
31
25
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
25 ibinda escudo37
2011
silver and gold gilted
bronze
28.0 g
38.1 mm
max. 50038
n.a.
#000
Cabinda’s Coat of Arms39
People’s Figurines
smooth
S
Fig. 46. 25 ibinda escudo 2011 unusual coin
Fig. 46.1. The crown or ngunda of the Ngoyo Chief
(copper, XIII-XIV century) (Volavka 1981)
Fig. 46.2. Flag of Kakongo Kingdom of XIX century
(Martins 1972)40
Fig. 46.3. Kimpaba or bimpaba cleaver, the symbol of
power of the Ngoyo Chief (Martins 1972)
Fig. 46.4. Reverse bears a proverb «I will remain in a
land where there is palm wine» («Minu i ala siala
muna nsi onu i ké malafu»)41
In 2011 retail price of the series of 4 unusual coins was GBP 23 (or GBP 7 per unusual coin), but later in 2012 it was
reduced to GBP 13 (or GBP 3.5 per each unusual coin).
38 In 2011 initial mintage was declared to be 20 000 per each unusual coin, but in 2012 it was reduced to 500.
39 At the top – the crown or ngunda (Fig. 46.1); in the center – a round shield with elements of the Kakongo flag (Fig.
46.2); on the sides - leopards standing on palm branches, «brothers of the crowned Chief», support the shield and
carved ivory tusks; behind the shield – 2 crossed ritual cleavers (Fig. 46.3); at the bottom – a paired bell or ngongi.
For more information about the symbols of power among the medieval population of the Loango coast, which
Gabirro used in the design of the Coat of Arms of Cabinda, see (Martins 1972) and (Tomanovskaya 1980).
40 The composition is a symbol of the absolute monarchy (Martins 1972): in the center – the Chief with son on his
shoulder (even the son of the Chief depends on the Chief); on the left – the servant, clapping his hands (the servant
obeys the Chief); on the right – the hand (hands serve people, as people serve the Chief); on the top – the Sun in front
of the Moon (the Chief as the Sun is in front of his people).
41 Traditional pictographic writing: 1 – the Chief of the land, 2 – wives of the Chief, 3 – the man who came from
another land, 4 – the servant dividing palm wine, 5 – the wife of the man who came from another land, 6 – the dog,
7 – the cat.
37
26
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
25 ibinda escudo
2011
silver and gold gilted
bronze
28.0 g
38.1 mm
max. 500
n.a.
#000
Coat of Arms of Cabinda
Hermaphrodite brig
smooth
S
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Fig. 47. 25 ibinda escudo 2011 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
25 ibinda escudo
2011
silver and gold gilted
bronze
28.0 g
38.1 mm
max. 500
n.a.
#000
Coat of Arms of Cabinda
Steam locomotive42
smooth
S
Fig. 48. 25 ibinda escudo 2011 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
25 ibinda escudo
2011
silver and gold gilted
bronze
28.0 g
38.1 mm
max. 500
n.a.
#000
Coat of Arms of Cabinda
Fighter jet43
smooth
S
Fig. 49. 25 ibinda escudo 2011 unusual coin
American steam locomotive with a 4-4-0 wheel formula (XIX century).
British two-seat training biplane fighter Bristol Type 124 Bulldog (1932-35). Just 59 copies were built. On this
unusual coin, one can see the typical identification signs of the US Air Force, although only 2 combat aircraft of this
type were exported to the USA, but in the Bulldog Mk. II modification.
42
43
27
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Fig. 49.1. Technical details for 25 ibinda escudo 2011 unusual coins
2012
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 50. 6 ½ real «65 Years of AK-47 by Kalashnikov» 2012 unusual coin
6 ½ real
2012
steel, brass, nickel
15.0 g
34.5 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
BC logo
Kalashnikov rifle
smooth with notches
C
2013
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 51. 9 ½ real «Death of Nelson Mandela at the age of 95 years» 2013 unusual coin
28
9 ½ real
2013
steel, copper
17.3-17.6 g
38.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
Candle, Map of Africa
Flag, Map of South Africa
Smooth
S
In the design of unusual coins one can see publicly available images of fish, and illustrations by
previously mentioned American animal artist Diana Peebles.
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 avo
2014
aluminum
1.8 g
15.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99049
BC logo
Face value, Fish
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
20 avo
2014
aluminum
1.1 g
18.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99050
African sharptooth catfish
BC logo
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
2014
In 2014, a series of 9 unusual coins dedicated to the FAO «Increase production»44 program was
issued on behalf of the Bank of Cabinda.
Fig. 52. 10 avo «Increase production» 2014 unusual coin
Fig. 53. 20 avo «Increase production» 2014 unusual coin
Fig. 53.1. African sharptooth catfish (лат. Clarias gariepinus) (Sir Andrew Smith, 1839)
Aumentemos a produção (in Portuguese). We note that the FAO Numismatic Bureau officially completed FAO
money and medals program in 2010.
44
29
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
50 avo
2014
aluminum
1.4 g
20.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99051
Crevalle jack
BC logo
smooth
C
Fig. 54. 50 avo «Increase production» 2014 unusual coin
Fig. 54.1. Crevalle jack (Caranx hippos) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1998)
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 55. 1 real «Increase production» 2014 unusual coin
Fig. 55.1. Grenadier anchovy (Coilia nasus)
30
1 real
2014
steel, copper
4.4 g
19.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99052
Grenadier anchovy
BC logo
smooth
C
2 ½ real
2014
steel, copper
6.0 g
22.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99053
African longfin eel
BC logo
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 real
2014
steel, nickel
7.0 g
25.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99054
West African lungfish
BC logo
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 56. 2 ½ real «Increase production» 2014 unusual coin
Fig. 56.1. African longfin eel (Anguilla mossambica)
Fig. 57. 5 real «Increase production» 2014 unusual coin
Fig. 57.1. West African lungfish (Protopterus annectens)
31
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 real
2014
steel, brass, copper
8.8 g
27.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99055
African butterflyfish
BC logo
smooth
C
Fig. 58. 10 real «Increase production» 2014 unusual coin
Fig. 58.1. African butterflyfish (Pantodon buchholzi) (John P. Sullivan, 2010)
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 59. 12 ½ real «Increase production» 2014 unusual coin
Fig. 59.1. Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1992-1998)
32
12 ½ real
2014
steel, brass, nickel
10.2 g
30.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99056
Bigeye tuna
BC logo
smooth
C
20 real
2014
steel, brass, nickel
12.0 g
31.8-32.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
Scull
Dove of Piece
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 61. 20 real «40 years of Carnation Revolution in Portugal» 2014 unusual coin
20 real
2014
steel, brass, nickel
12.0 g
31.8-32.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
Rifle with Carnation
Carnation
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 60. 20 real «20 Years of Genocide in Rwanda» 2014 unusual coin
25 real
2014
steel, copper, nickel
12.3-12.4 g
32.0-33.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99057
Sailfish
BC logo
reeded
C
Fig. 62. 25 real «Increase production» 2014 unusual coin
Fig. 62.1. Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) (Diane Rome Peebles, 1992)
33
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
To commemorate World Soccer Championship in Brazil in 2014 a series of 2 unusual coins was
minted:
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 63. 25 real «World Soccer Championship in Brazil» 2014 unusual coin
25 real
2014
steel, copper, nickel
12.3-12.4 g
32.0-33.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99058
Angelfish, Balls
BC logo
reeded
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
30 real
2014
copper
12.8-15.0 g
40.0 * 40.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
Rubik’s Cube45
BC logo
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
40 real
2014
steel, copper, brass, nickel
25.2-26.0 g
30.0 * 60.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#99060
World Soccer Cup
Jesus Christ, Fish
smooth
C
Fig. 64. 30 real «40 Years of Rubik’s Cube» 2014 unusual coin
Fig. 65. 40 real «World Soccer Championship in Brazil» 2014 unusual coin
A large exhibition in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the Cube, invented by Hungarian architect Erne Rubik
(*1944), opened in Jersey City (USA) in April 2014.
45
34
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 real
2015
aluminum
1.2 g
19.8 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177405
BC logo
Face value
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 67. 10 real «40 Years of Independence of Cabinda» 2015 unusual coin
10 real
2015
aluminum
1.2 g
19.8 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177406
BC logo
Face value
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
50 real
2015
aluminum
1.5 g
22.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177407
BC logo
Face value
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
2015
Fig. 66. 10 real 2015 unusual coin
Fig. 68. 50 real 2015 unusual coin
35
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
50 real
2015
aluminum
1.5 g
22.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177408
BC logo
Palm tree, FAO logo
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
100 real
2015
steel, copper
3.4 g
17.7 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177440
BC logo
Tuna
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
500 real
2015
brass
3.8 g
19.7 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177441
BC logo
Blue Marlin
smooth
C
Fig. 69. 50 real «70 Years of FAO» 2015 unusual coin
Fig. 70. 100 real 2015 unusual coin
Fig. 71. 500 real 2015 unusual coin
36
500 real
2015
brass
3.8 g
19.7 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177442
BC logo
Blue Marlin
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 000 real
2015
aluminum, copper
4.6 g
26.5 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177443
BC logo
Shark
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 000 real
2015
aluminum, copper
4.6 g
26.5 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177444
UN logo
Dove of Piece
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 72. 500 real «40 Years of Independence of Cabinda» 2015 unusual coin
Fig. 73. 1 000 real 2015 unusual coin
Fig. 74. 1 000 real «70 Years of UN» 2015 unusual coin
37
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
During 2016-2018, with the possible reason to increase sales of unusual coins, a billion (!) times
devaluation of the Cabinda currency was mystified46.
At the same time, inexpensive metal (aluminum, copper, brass) and the simplest round-shaped
planchets were used to strike unusual coins.
In its design one can see images and plots of postage stamps of Angola, Portuguese Angola and
Portuguese Mozambique of different years.
2016
All the 6 unusual coins of 2016 bear the images of the last 1974 series of postage stamps in
Portuguese Angola history (Mi#586-605)47:
Fig. 75.1. «Shellfish» 1974 stamps series of Portuguese Angola
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 000 real
2016
aluminum
1.1 g
17.7 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177507
BC logo
Shellfish
(Conus Prometheus)
smooth
C
Fig. 75. 5 000 real 2016 unusual coin
There were no objective economic reasons for such a sharp devaluation: annual inflation in Angola in 2016-2018
was 20-30%, during 3 years the Angolan kwanza depreciated against the US dollar by only 2.5 times. These years
average price for oil, the basis of the economy of Angola and Cabinda, remained at the level of 2015.
47 This stamps series was designed by Alberto Cutileiro (*1915-†2003).
46
38
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 000 real
2016
aluminum
1.2 g
19.7 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177508
BC logo
Cowrie shell
(Cypraea stercoraria)
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Fig. 76. 10 000 real 2016 unusual coin
Face value
10 000 real
Year
2016
Composition
aluminum
Weight
1.2 g
Diameter
20.1 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Mint
n.a.
Number
N#180216
Obverse
BC logo
Reverse
CPLP logo, Fish
Edge
smooth
Price (UNC)
C
Fig. 77. 10 000 real «20 Years of Community of Portuguese-Speaking countries» 2016 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
50 000 real
2016
aluminum
1.5 g
21.7 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177509
BC logo
Shellfish
(Lathyrus filosus)
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
50 000 real
2016
aluminum
1.5 g
21.7 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177510
BC logo
UNICEF logo
smooth
C
Fig. 78. 50 000 real 2016 unusual coin
Fig. 79. 50 000 real «70 Years of UNICEF» 2016 unusual coin
39
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
100 000 real
2016
copper
3.4 g
19.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177529
BC logo
Shellfish
(Tympanotonos fuscatus)
smooth
C
Fig. 80. 100 000 real 2016 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
500 000 real
2016
copper
4.1 g
19.8 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177530
BC logo
West African helmet
(Cassis tesselata)
smooth
C
Fig. 81. 500 000 real 2016 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 000 000 real
2016
brass
6.0 g
24.8 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177531
BC logo
Murex
(Murex melanomathos)
smooth
C
Fig. 82. 1 000 000 real 2016 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 83. 1 000 000 real «XXXI Olympic Games in Brazil» 2016 unusual coin
40
1 000 000 real
2016
brass
6.0 g
24.8 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#177532
BC logo
Olympic rings
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
2017
All the 7 unusual coins of 2017 bear the images of animals of the rich wildlife of Angola. All of
them one can see at 1953 stamps of Portuguese Angola (Mi#368-387):
Fig. 84.1. «Animals of Angola» 1953 stamps series of Portuguese Angola
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 000 000 real48
2017
aluminum
1.4 g
18.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180250
BC logo
Crocodile
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 000 000 real
2017
aluminum
1.6 g
20.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180251
BC logo
Saber-horned antelope
smooth
C
Fig. 84. 5 000 000 real 2017 unusual coin
Fig. 85. 10 000 000 real 2017 unusual coin
We note that 1 million face value is rather rare: as a rule, these are non-circulating gold or silver jubilee coinsingots. The only exception, if we do not take into account German notgelds, were coins of Turkey. In 2002-2004, 1, 7
½, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 50 million liras coins were issued, including 1 million liras coin for circulation. In 2005, the
Turkish authorities carried out a denomination and reduced face values into 1 million times.
48
41
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
50 000 000 real
2017
aluminum
1.8 g
22.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180252
BC logo
Eland (Antelope)
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
100 000 000 real
2017
aluminum
2.5 g
25.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180254
BC logo
Zebra
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
500 000 000 real
2017
aluminum
2.8 g
30.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180255
BC logo
Leopard
smooth
C
Fig. 86. 50 000 000 real 2017 unusual coin
Fig. 87. 100 000 000 real 2017 unusual coin
Fig. 88. 500 000 000 real 2017 unusual coin
Face value
500 000 000 real
Year
2017
Composition
aluminum
Weight
2.8 g
Diameter
30.0 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Mint
n.a.
Number
N#180224
Obverse
BC logo
Reverse
Ludwik Zamenhof
Edge
smooth
Price (UNC)
C
Fig. 89. 500 000 000 real «100 Years of Death of Ludwik Lejzer Zamenhof» 49 2017 unusual coin
It was one of the international commemorative dates by UNESCO for 2017 year
(see http://en.unesco.org/celebrations/anniversaries/2017/all?page=1, accessed – 15.02.2023).
49
42
1 000 000 000 real
2017
brass
3.8 g
20.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180256
BC logo
Lion
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 90. 1 000 000 000 real 2017 unusual coin
Face value
1 000 000 000 real
Year
2017
Composition
brass
Weight
3.8 g
Diameter
20.0 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Mint
n.a.
Number
N#180209
Obverse
BC logo
Reverse
Tuna, knife, fork
Edge
smooth
Price (UNC)
C
Fig. 91. 1 000 000 000 real «May, 2 – World Tuna Day by UN General Assembly» 2017 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
2 500 000 000 real
2017
brass
4.4-4.8 g
22.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180257
BC logo
Rhinoceros
smooth
C
Fig. 92. 2 500 000 000 real 2017 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 93. 2 500 000 000 real «130 Years of Esperanto Language» 2017 unusual coin
2 500 000 000 real
2017
brass
4.4-4.8 g
22.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180223
BC logo
L. Zamenhof signature
smooth
C
43
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
2018
All the 6 unusual coins of 2018 bear the images of 1984 stamps series of independent Angola
(Mi#701-706)50:
Fig. 94.1. «Birds of Angola» 1984 stamps of Angola
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 000 000 000 real
2018
aluminum
1.0 g
18.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180239
BC logo
Great white pelican
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
50 000 000 000 real
2018
aluminum
1.2 g
20.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180241
BC logo
Goliath heron
smooth
C
Fig. 94. 10 000 000 000 real 2018 unusual coin
Fig. 95. 50 000 000 000 real 2018 unusual coin
50
44
This stamps series was designed by a famous Portuguese animal artist Alfredo da Conceição (*1919-†2011).
100 000 000 000 real
2018
aluminum
1.5 g
22.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180244
BC logo
African spoonbill
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
250 000 000 000 real
2018
aluminum
2.0 g
25.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180245
BC logo
Palm-nut vulture
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
500 000 000 000 real
2018
aluminum
2.9 g
30.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180246
BC logo
Black crowned crane
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 000 000 000 000 real51
2018
aluminum
3.8-3.9 g
35.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180247
BC logo
Ground hornbill
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 96. 100 000 000 000 real 2018 unusual coin
Fig. 97. 250 000 000 000 real 2018 unusual coin
Fig. 98. 500 000 000 000 real 2018 unusual coin
Fig. 99. 1 000 000 000 000 real 2018 unusual coin
51
For the first time of numismatics and exonumia history, 1 trillion unusual coin appeared.
45
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 100. 1 000 000 000 000 real «135 Years of Cabinda City» 2018 unusual coin
Fig. 100.1. «Coats of Arms» 1963
series stamp of Portuguese
Angola (Mi#466)52
Fig. 100.2. Enlarged image of the coat
of arms of Cabinda City
1 000 000 000 000 real
2018
aluminum
3.8-3.9 g
35.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180217
BC logo
Cabinda City Emblem
smooth
C
Fig. 100.3. Coat of Arms of
Cabinda City in 195653
2019
In January 2019, the Bank of Cabinda mystified another «reform of the monetary system». As a
result the real was replaced with a makuta54 equal to 100 centimo, at the rate of 1 trillion to 1.
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 101. Unusual coin в 1 000 000 000 000 real или 1 макуту 2019 unusual coin
1 trln real / 1 makuta
2019
aluminum
3.85 g
35.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180218
BC logo
Makuta Symbol
smooth
C
This stamps series was designed by Portuguese medalist artist José de Moura (*1915-†2016).
The coat of arms of the village of Cabinda was approved by Portuguese Government Decree No. 15443 in 1955.
There are 4 golden shells on the blue shield, crossed golden scepters with an armillary sphere and the hand of justice
on purple stripes. In 1956, Cabinda was granted the status of a city, the number of silver towers on the coat of arms
was increased from 4 to 5 (see https://www.heraldicacivica.pt/ang-cabinda.html).
54 Makuta was a currency of Portuguese Angola before 1914, 1 makuta consisted of 50 real.
52
53
46
All the 6 unusual coins of 2019 bear images from a 1951 series of postage stamps of Portuguese
Mozambique (Mi#385-408):
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
The «post–reform» unusual coins bear more complex emblem of the Bank of Cabinda - a fish, a
laurel wreath, and a gear wheel segment55 were added. Each side of unusual coin bears a face
value.
Fig. 102.1. «Fish of Mozambique» 1951 stamps series of Portuguese Mozambique
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 centimo
2019
aluminum
1.0 g
18.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#205561
BC logo
Seagrass wrasse
smooth
C
Fig. 102. 1 centimo 2019 unusual coin
Since November 1975, the national flag of Angola bears the gear wheel segment, symbolizing workers and
industrial production.
55
47
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 centimo
2019
aluminum
1.5 g
22.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#232952
BC logo
Oriental flying gurnard
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
25 centimo
2019
aluminum
2.0 g
25.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#232954
BC logo
African butterflyfish
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
1 makuta
2019
copper
4.0 g
20.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#232955
BC logo
Thornback cowfish
smooth
C
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
2 makuta
2019
aluminum, copper
4.6 g
26.5 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#232956
BC logo
Pennant coralfish
smooth
C
Fig. 103. 5 centimo 2019 unusual coin
Fig. 104. 25 centimo 2019 unusual coin
Fig. 105. 1 makuta 2019 unusual coin
Fig. 106. 2 makuta 2019 unusual coin
48
4 makuta
2019
brass
8.4 g
26.0 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#232958
BC logo
Redskinfish
smooth
C
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 107. 4 makuta 2019 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 108. 20 makuta «20 Years of Macao Independence» 2019 unusual coin
20 makuta
2019
aluminum, brass
13.0 g
38.2 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180220
Macao City View
Lotos Flower, BC logo
smooth
C
Face value
20 makuta
Year
2019
Composition
aluminum, brass
Weight
13.0 g
Diameter
38.2 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Mint
n.a.
Number
N#180219
Obverse
«Victoria» Sailing Ship
Reverse
BC logo
Edge
smooth
Price (UNC)
C
Fig. 109. 20 makuta «500 Years of World's First Circumnavigation by Ferdinand Magellan» 2019 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 110. 20 makuta «20 Years of EURO Introduction» 2019 unusual coin
20 makuta
2019
aluminum, brass
13.0 g
38.2 mm
n.a.
n.a.
N#180222
Map of Europe
BC logo
smooth
C
49
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
2020
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
2 makuta
2020
aluminum, copper
4.6 g
26.5 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
Swords, Rod of Asclepius
BC logo
smooth
C
Fig. 111. 2 makuta «War against COVID-19» 2020 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
Fig. 112. 2 makuta «45 Years of Independence of Cabinda» 2020 unusual coin
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
2 makuta
2020
aluminum, copper
4.6 g
26.5 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
Oil derrick, Cargo ship
BC logo
smooth
C
2 makuta
2020
aluminum, copper
4.6 g
26.5 mm
n.a.
n.a.
#000
Round dance, Logo
BC logo
smooth
C
Fig. 113. 2 makuta «75 Years of UN» 2020 unusual coin
Obverse design bears the logo of 75th Anniversary of UN, used with gross violations of the official
visual design guideline56:
Fig. 113.1. Official logo of 75th Anniversary of UN
Background was added, while «2020 and beyond» motto was replaced by «1945-2020».
See https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/2020/03/un75_logo_guidelines_oct_2019.pdf
56
50
This political organization was founded in 1996 in the Netherlands by the former representative
of FLEC-FAC in Paris (France), General Antonio Luis Lopes. He also proclaimed himself
Comandante, head of the Cabinda Government in exile and President of the Republic of
Cabinda59.
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
2021
The series of 3 unusual coins of the Republic of Cabinda on behalf of the National Bank of Cabinda
(BNC) was issued57 in 2021 in the interests of the Liberation Front of the State of Cabinda
(F.L.E.C.)58.
Obverse of each unusual coin bears Antonio Luis Lopes portrait, reverse bears the image of
Simulambuc Monument.
Fig. 114.1. Antonio Luis Lopes (2013)
Fig. 114.2. Simulambuc Monument (2006)
The twenty-year history of the «Cabinda monetary system» with escudo, real and makuta was
ignored. This BNC chose the dollar equal to 100 cents as the currency, with a tight peg to the US
dollar at the rate of 1 to 1.
Unusual coins were 3D-printed with PLA by private company in Singapore. Each unusual coin
contains the RFID-tag60.
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
2 dollars
2021
polylactide (PLA)
8.5 g
45.0 mm
max 15 000
n.a. (Singapore)
#000
Antonio Luis Lopes
Simulambuc Monument
smooth with notches
S
Fig. 114. 2 dollars 2021 unusual coin
See https://governodecabinda.org/aviso-warning-moedas-falsas-de-cabinda-counterfeit-coins-of-cabinda
(accessed – 15.02.2023). This BNC «was founded» in January 2005.
58 Frente de Libertação do Estado de Cabinda (in Portuguese).
59 See https://governodecabinda.org/presidencia and http://www.cabinda.org/gouvang.htm (both accessed –
15.02.2023).
60 Radio Frequency IDentification.
57
51
Unusual coins. 2001-2022
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
5 dollars
2021
polylactide (PLA)
8.5 g
45.0 mm
max 15 000
n.a. (Singapore)
#000
Antonio Luis Lopes
Simulambuc Monument
smooth with notches
S
Face value
Year
Composition
Weight
Diameter
Mintage
Mint
Number
Obverse
Reverse
Edge
Price (UNC)
10 dollars
2021
polylactide (PLA)
8.5 g
45.0 mm
max 15 000
n.a. (Singapore)
#000
Antonio Luis Lopes
Simulambuc Monument
smooth with notches
S
Fig. 115. 5 dollars 2021 unusual coin
Fig. 116. 10 dollars 2021 unusual coin
«The Intelligence Service of the Republic of Cabinda» (Serviço de Inteligência de Cabinda, in
Portuguese) declared all other series of unusual coins under the name of Cabinda as «fakes», and
«the authorities of the Republic of Cabinda» imposed a fine of USD 10 000 for the distribution of
such a «fakes».
In 2017, F.L.E.C. representatives in Latin America paid for the issue of a Brazilian postage stamp61
with the image of Lopes and the flag of the Republic of Cabinda in the F.L.E.C. version:
Fig. 116.1. «134 Years of the Treaty of Simulambuc» 2017 Brazilian postage stamp
The stamps were printed by the Brazilian Mint (Casa da Moeda do Brasil) with a mintage of up to 10 000 pieces
(only in sheets of 12 stamps each) under «Personalized stamp without vignette» («Selo Personalizado sem Vinheta»
in Portuguese) special program of the Brazilian Post, which anyone can take part in. The stamp bears no face value
and is worth paying the internal delivery of written correspondence with a weight of up to 20 grams (or USD 1 in
equivalent). The stamp was printed in 2017, 132 years after the Treaty of Simulambuc had been signed.
61
52
In 2013, the first series of souvenir banknotes under the name of Cabinda appeared on sale.
Souvenir banknotes were printed on common paper without watermarks. A numerator had a
seven-digit serial number without letters.
In 2014, the second series of the same design appeared, but with a different machine numerator:
it had a seven-digit serial number with letter A or B, and 6 digits. There is no information on the
producer and the mintage of the series.
Fig. 117.1. Serial number varieties for 200 escudo
souvenir banknote
Souvenir banknotes. 2013-2014
SOUVENIR BANKNOTES. 2013-2014
Fig. 117.2. «Paris Y» bulker at the pier of the Feodosiya
Commercial Sea Port (Crimea, Ukraine) (2011)
Obverse design is based on publicly available images of fish of Eurasia, North America, and the
North Atlantic Ocean. These fish have nothing common with Angola and South Africa. The
«flocks» of fish depicted should not misle: the same photo of one fish is depicted several times,
but in a reduced (or reduced and reflected horizontally) form.
On reverse one can see the mirror image of the photo of the pier of the Feodosiya Commercial
Sea Port (Crimea, Russia)62.
So called «specimen» of souvenir banknotes of the first series exist, with a diagonal overprint
«SPECIMEN» in gray or blue and a seven-digit number of 1234567. Presumably in 2015, souvenir
banknote of the first series dedicated to the 40th Anniversary of Independence of Cabinda
appeared. It bears the overprint «1975-2015 CABINDA» and the stylized coat of arms of Cabinda63
in golden color.
Fig. 117.3. 20 escudo of the 1st series essai overprinted
with «SPECIMEN»
Fig. 117.4. 500 escudo of the 1st series souvenir
banknote overprinted with «1975-2015 CABINDA»
Souvenir banknotes are not legal tender and have been never used in monetary circulation.
62
63
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Feodosiya (accessed - 15.02.2023).
FLEC’s flag of 1985-90 element.
53
Souvenir banknotes. 2013-2014
Face value
10 escudo
Year
no date (2013)
Size
135 * 68 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Violet, Yellow.
Bluegill
Reverse
Violet, Yellow.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Face value
10 escudo
Year
no date (2014)
Size
n.a.
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Violet, Yellow.
Bluegill
Reverse
Violet, Yellow.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Fig. 117. 10 escudo 2013 souvenir banknote
Fig. 117.5. 10 escudo 2014 souvenir banknote
Fig. 117.6. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
54
20 escudo
Year
no date (2013)
Size
135 * 68 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Red, Pink.
Eurasian ruffe
Reverse
Red, Pink.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Face value
20 escudo
Year
no date (2014)
Size
n.a.
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Red, Pink.
Eurasian ruffe
Reverse
Red, Pink.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Souvenir banknotes. 2013-2014
Face value
Fig. 118. 20 escudo 2013 souvenir banknote
Fig. 118.1. 20 escudo 2014 souvenir banknote
Fig. 118.2. Eurasian ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernuus)
55
Souvenir banknotes. 2013-2014
Face value
50 escudo
Year
no date (2013)
Size
135 * 68 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Yellow.
Golden redfish
Reverse
Yellow.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Face value
50 escudo
Year
no date (2014)
Size
n.a.
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Yellow.
Golden redfish
Reverse
Yellow.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Fig. 119. 50 escudo 2013 souvenir banknote
Fig. 119.1. 50 escudo 2014 souvenir banknote
Fig. 119.2. Golden redfish (Sebastes marinus)
56
100 escudo
Year
no date (2013)
Size
135 * 68 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Blue, Yellow.
Largemouth bass
Reverse
Blue, Yellow.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Face value
100 escudo
Year
no date (2014)
Size
n.a.
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Blue, Yellow.
Largemouth bass
Reverse
Blue, Yellow.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Souvenir banknotes. 2013-2014
Face value
Fig. 120. 100 escudo 2013 souvenir banknote
Fig. 120.1. 100 escudo 2014 souvenir banknote
Fig. 120.2. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
57
Souvenir banknotes. 2013-2014
Face value
200 escudo
Year
no date (2013)
Size
145 * 68 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Emerald.
Atlantic cod
Reverse
Emerald.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Face value
200 escudo
Year
no date (2014)
Size
n.a.
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Emerald.
Atlantic cod
Reverse
Emerald.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Fig. 121. 200 escudo 2013 souvenir banknote
Fig. 121.1. 200 escudo 2014 souvenir banknote
Fig. 121.2. Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
58
500 escudo
Year
no date (2013)
Size
145 * 68 mm
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Green.
Atlantic salmon
Reverse
Green.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Face value
500 escudo
Year
no date (2014)
Size
n.a.
Mintage
n.a.
Printer
n.a.
Number
#000
Obverse
Green.
Atlantic salmon
Reverse
Green.
Bulker
Price (UNC)
C
Souvenir banknotes. 2013-2014
Face value
Fig. 122. 500 escudo 2013 souvenir banknote
Fig. 122.1. 500 escudo 2014 souvenir banknote
Fig. 122.2. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (Tim Knepp, 2001)
59
Cinderella stamps. 2000-2012
CINDERELLA STAMPS. 2000-2012
On the territory of Cabinda (then - Portuguese Congo) they used the «own» postage stamps to
pay for postal services from 1894 to 1920 only. The Portuguese authorities in 1894-1915 printed
stamps under the name of «Congo. Portugal» or «CONGO» overprinted. In addition, since 1911,
stamps of Portuguese Angola with the overprint «REPUBLICA CONGO» and the smeared
overprint «ANGOLA» have been used in parallel, and since 1913 also the stamps of Portuguese
Africa, Macau and Timor with the overprint «REPUBLICA CONGO» were in use.
From July 1920 to 1976, they used postage stamps of Portuguese Angola (Portuguese West Africa)
(Magalhães 1986). After Angola proclaimed its independence in November 1975 and up to the
present time, Angolan postage stamps are in use in Cabinda64.
In 2000, the first series of non-postage stamps65 under the name of Cabinda appeared on the
international philatelic market: they were 4 Portuguese Angola stamps of «Folk Costumes» 1957
series (Mi#401-412) with «CABINDA» overprint in gray.
Fig. 122.3. Postage stamps of Portuguese Angola 1957 with «CABINDA» overprint
Production and distribution of Cinderella stamps under the name of Cabinda in 2006-2012 was a
joint adventure of Rui Gabirro and Clive Harold Feigenbaum (*1939–†2007), a businessman and
former director of Stanley Gibbons philatelic company (UK)66.
In February 2006, Gabirro declared himself as the director of the National Philatelic Bureau of
Cabinda and announced the issue of the stamps of the Republic of Cabinda67.
To begin with, sheets of illegal Cinderella stamps of 1999 under the name of Angola were used,
which had been produced by Feigenbaum in the UK back in the 90s. Each stamp was overprinted
with the words «CABINDA» and «CAF 500»68 in blue or green, to be declared an «emergency
stamp» of Cabinda soon after.
Apparently, Feigenbaum was imbued with the idea of reviving the sales of the remnants of illegal
Cinderella stamps under the name of Angola: in 2005-2007, independently of Gabirro, he was
Printed by the Portuguese Mint, the first stamp of independent Angola was put into circulation on November 11,
1975. During 1976-1981, stamps of Portuguese Angola with «REPUBLICA POPULAR» («People’s Republic»)
overprint were in circulation in Angola in parallel.
65 I.e. stamps issued for non-postal purposes, or «Cinderella stamps».
66 See John Lowe’s investigation ((https://golowesstamps.com/reference/Illegal%20Stamps/
Angola%20Illegal%20Stamps/angola_illegal_stamps.htm, accessed - 15.02.2023).
67 See http://www.cabinda.net/Stamps.htm (accessed – 01.01.2019).
68 500 Central African francs. The ISO code of this currency is XAF.
64
60
Gabirro himself sold 11 types of illegal Cinderella stamps with flora and fauna. In 2006-2010, one
could buy such sheets of 9 stamps with the signature, allegedly, of the «President of the Republic
of Cabinda» Enrique N'Zita Tiago, at GPB 14.5 per sheet (fig. 122.4). By 2011, the sale was
complete, while leftovers without a signature one could buy at GBP 2.5-3.0 per sheet. The last
update of www.cabinda.net site was in 2012.
Fig. 122.4. «Shingled hedgehog» 1999
Angolan Cinderella stamp with
«CABINDA» overprint and signature
Fig. 122.5. «Bristol Bulldog» 2011
Cinderella stamp of Cabinda
Cinderella stamps. 2000-2012
engaged in distribution69 of at least 50 types of such stamps of 2000-2001, overprinted with
«CABINDA» and «CAF 500». Curiously, Gabirro declared all these issues as «fakes».
Fig. 122.6. «Flag of the Kingdom
of Kakongo» 2012 Cinderella
stamp of Cabinda
In 2011-2012, Gabirro managed to organize the issue70 of Cinderella stamps sheets under the
name of Cabinda and various pseudo-states from the Federation of Free States of Africa71,
founded by himself in 2007 (fig. 122.5-122.6).
Fig. 122.7. «Yuri Gagarin» 2011
Cinderella stamp of Republic of
Cabinda72
Fig. 122.8. «Butterfly Fish» 2012
Cinderella stamp of Cabinda73
Fig. 122.9. «Duck» 2012 Cinderella
stamp of Cabinda Free State
For example, since 2007, Espacelollini (France) has been distributing 10 types of stamps and 2 types of FDC. See
https://espacelollini.com/cataweb/indexUS.php?etape=timbre&id_timbre=28695 (accessed 01.04.2023).
70 See https://www.stampboards.com/viewtopic.php?t=25413 (accessed – 15.03.2023) to find out more about
Gabirro’s search for the stamps printer.
71 Gabirro himself took a position of the Secretary General of the Federation under the pseudonym Mangovo Ngoyo.
See https://africafederation.net (accessed – 01.06.2012).
72 The design of «50 years of the first human space flight» series of 12 Cinderella stamps of Cabinda used illustrations
by Palekh artists Kaleria Kukulieva (*1937), Boris Kukuliev (*1936), Oleg An (*1952) from the book «Son of Russia»
(Moscow, 1982) by Albert Likhanov (*1935-†2021).
73 The design of «The Fish» series of 4 Cinderella stamps of Cabinda used the images from the series of postage
stamps of Portuguese Mozambique 1951 (Mi#385-408).
69
61
Cinderella stamps. 2000-2012
Cinderella stamps of Cabinda were distributed in 2011-2013 from the UK through the website
www.AfricaStamps.org. The series were presumably printed in the UK as well. Its design and
production quality was rather low.
In total, up to 70 types of Cinderella stamps under the name of Cabinda were issued. The name
of the state indicated was Cabinda, Republic of Cabinda (Republica de Cabinda, Kilansi Kia
Kabinda), or Cabinda Free State. There is no confirmation of the link of the issues to the
representatives of Cabinda movements for the independence
There is also no reliable information on the postal circulation of the series of Cinderella stamps
issued under the name of Cabinda, or with «CABINDA» overprint.
Known examples of the envelopes with hinged illegal non-postage stamps under the name of
Angola with «CABINDA» overprints, appeared with a help of international lawyer Dr. Jonathan
Levi74. He used the sea mail during cruises to the Caribbean islands:
Fig. 122.10. Queen Mary II cruise liner packet-boat and
illegal Cinderella stamp of Angola with «Cabinda»
overprint, hinged in Barbados in 200675
Fig. 122.11. Refusal to hinge illegal Cinderella stamp of
Angola with «Cabinda» overprint in St. Kitts Island in
200876
Despite the declaration of independence in 1975, Cabinda did not become the independent state
and had never got recognition by any world country.
Doctor of Political Sciences, lawyer, solicitor. In 2006-2012 Dr. Levi represented the interests of FLEC-FAC and the
«Government of the Republic of Cabinda in exile» by Enrique N'Zita Tiago.
75 See http://www.cabinda.net/Stamps.htm (accessed – 01.01.2019).
76 See https://www.stampcommunity.org/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=52619 (accessed – 15.02.2023).
74
62
REFERENCES
1. Andreev A.Yu. On the issue of monetary circulation in Cabinda. 2023.
URL: https://doi.org/ (unpublished). (In Russian).
2. Armiento Attilio. FAO Coins International Catalog. 2nd Edition / 2021. 396 p.
3. Magalhães Alexandre Guedes. Marcas Postais de Angola / Lisboa, Revista FN – FilateliaNumismática, 1986. 115 p.
4. Martins Joaquim. Sabedoria Cabinda. Símbolos e Provérbios / Lisboa, Junta de Investigacoes
do Ultramar, 1968. 565 p.
5. Martins Joaquim. Cabindas. História – Crenças – Usos e Costumes / Cabinda, Comissão de
Turismo da Câmara, 1972. 371 p.
6. Mulinda Habi Buganza. Aux origines du royaume de Ngoyo // Bruxells, Civilisations,
Vol. 41, No. 1/2, 1993. Pp. 165-187.
7. Schön Official World Coin Catalogue. 1900-2010. 39th Edition/ München, Battenberg Verlag,
2010. 2450 p.
8. Selos das Colónias Portuguesas / Lisboa, Afinsa, 2011. 450 p.
9. Standard Catalog of World Coins. 1901-2000. 46th Edition / Iola, Wisconsin, Krause
Publications, 2018. 2386 p.
10. Standard Catalog of World Coins. 2001-Date. 13th Edition / Iola, Wisconsin, Krause
Publications, 2018. 1490 p.
11. Standard Catalog of World Paper Money. 1961-2019. 25th Edition / Stevens Point, Wisconsin,
Krause Publications, 2019. 1266 p.
12. Tomanovskaya O.S. Loango, Kakongo and Ngoyo : historical and ethnographic essay /
Moscow, Nauka, 1980. 215 p. (In Russian).
13. Unusual World Coins. 6th Edition / Iola, Wisconsin, Krause Publications, 2011. 744 p.
14. Volavka Zdenka. Insignia of the Divine Authority // Los Angeles, African Arts, Vol. 14,
No. 3, May 1981. Pp. 43-51.
15. Zhuravel Sergey. Coins of Cabinda // Saint-Petersburg, Zolotoy chervonets, № 3 (48), 2019.
Pp. 78-81. (In Russian).
63
PHOTOS
1. Colnect. 2023. URL: http://colnect.com (accessed – 15.02.2023).
2. Diane Peebles. 2023. URL://https://dianepeebles.com (accessed – 15.02.2023).
3. eBay. 2023. URL: https://www.ebay.com (accessed – 15.02.2023).
4. HERITAGE Auctions. 2023. URL: https://www.ha.com (accessed – 15.02.2023).
5. MCoin. 2023. URL: https://www.mcoin.ru (accessed – 15.02.2023).
6. Meshok. 2023. URL: https://meshok.net (accessed – 15.02.2023).
7. NumisCorner. 2023. URL: https://numiscorner.com (accessed - 15.02.2023).
8. Numismazoo. 2023. URL: https://www.numismazoo.com (accessed - 15.02.2023).
9. Numista. 2023. URL: https://en.numista.com/catalogue (accessed - 15.02.2023).
10. RussianCoin. 2023. URL: https://www.russiancoin.ru (accessed – 15.02.2023).
64
65