This listing is for the photographed 1952 Central Bank of Belgian Congo, Rwanda and Urundi 20 Francs Note. This note was issued on September 1st, 1952, making it a rarer issue of these notes. Fine (F) grade/condition, signs of circulation due to age. The obverse of this note depicts people rowing a canoe at the center. Reverse shows a working elephant at the center. Notes from Belgian Congo and the Republic of Congo are highly sought after and valuable pieces, making them an excellent addition to any collection! P#23 (Pick Number 23).
In 1909 the Bank of Belgian Congo was established as the primary financial institution in the Belgian colony of Congo, responsible for the issuance of all Belgian Congo banknotes. In 1927 Belgium was granted the ability to colonize the lands of Rwanda and Urundi (Modern day Rwanda and Burundi), expanding the Bank of Belgian Congo to these lands, creating the Central Bank of Belgian Congo, Rwanda and Urundi in 1950 and issuing banknotes throughout the three lands. The bank continued issuing Congolese francs, which circulated across the Belgian Congo and the mandated territories of Rwanda and Urundi. The notes often carried bilingual inscriptions in French and Dutch, reflecting Belgium's linguistic heritage. In 1960 Congo gained independence from Belgian control, becoming the Democratic Republic of Congo, establishing its own central bank. Rwanda and Urundi gained independence in 1962, beginning to issue their own banknotes in the process. The history of these three nations under the colonial power of Belgium exhibits an incredibly interesting time period in the African continent and the influence of colonialism on their inhabitants!
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1952 Central Bank of Belgian Congo, Rwanda-Urundi 20 Francs Note - Rare 1952 Issue - F Grade - 1952 Belgian Congo Twenty Francs Note - P#23