Angolan escudo

Infobox Currency
iso_code = ?
using_countries = Angola
image_1 =
image_title_1 =
inflation_rate = ?%
inflation_source_date =
subunit_ratio_1 = 1/100
subunit_name_1 = Centavo
symbol = ?
used_coins = 10, 20, 50 centavos, 1, 2½, 5, 10, 20 escudo
used_banknotes = 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 escudo
issuing_authority = Banco Nacional Ultramarino
issuing_authority_website =
obsolete_notice = Y

The escudo was the currency of Angola between 1914 and 1928 and again between 1958 and 1977. It was subdivided into 100 "centavos" with the "macuta" worth 5 centavos and was equivalent to the Portuguese escudo.

History

The introduction of the escudo in Portugal's colonies took place in 1914, three years after it occurred in Portugal. The escudo replaced the "real" at a rate of 1000 réis = 1 escudo. In 1928, the "angolar" was introduced. Banknotes were exchanged at a rate of 1.25 escudos = 1 angolar, whilst centavo coins used with the escudo continued to be used with the angolar with no change in value. The angolar was pegged at parity with the Portuguese escudo, as the Angolan escudo had been before 1928. Thus, the currency reform constituted a devaluation of the escudo banknotes.

In 1953, Portugal began unifying the currencies of its colonies. This process was completed in Angola at the end of 1958, with the reintroduction of the escudo. The escudo was replaced in 1977 by the "kwanza" at par.

Coins

In 1921, bronze 1, 2 and 5 centavos and cupro-nickel 10 and 20 centavos coins were introduced, followed the next year by nickel 50 centavos. In 1927, cupro-nickel 1, 2 and 4 macutas and 50 centavos coins were introduced. These coins continued to circulate when the angolar was introduced, with bronze 10 and 20 centavos coins introduced in 1948.

In 1952, the first escudo coins were introduced, although the escudo did not officially replace the angolar until the end of 1958. Silver 10 and 20 escudos were introduced in 1952, followed by bronze 50 centavos and 1 escudo, and cupro-nickel 2½ escudos in 1953. Cupro-nickel replaced silver in the 10 escudos in 1969, with nickel replacing silver in the 20 escudos in 1971. Cupro-nickel 5 escudos were introduced in 1972.

Banknotes

In 1914, the "Banco Nacional Ultramarino" introduced notes in denominations of 10, 50 and 50 centavos. 5 centavos notes followed in 1918, with 50 escudos introduced in 1920. In 1921, 1, 2½, 5, 10, 20 and 100 escudos notes were added. State notes for 50 centavos were also introduced in 1921.

In 1958, notes (dated 1956) were introduced by the Bank of Angola in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 escudos. These five denominations were issued until the introduction of the kwanza.

References

*numis cite SCWC|date=1991
*numis cite SCWPM|date=1994

External links

Standard numismatics external links
world_coin_gallery_1_url = Angola
world_coin_gallery_1_name = Angola
banknote_world_1_url = Angola
banknote_world_1_name = Angola
dollarization_1_url = ao
dollarization_1_name = Angola
gfd_1_url = Angola
gfd_1_name = Angola
gfd_data_1_url =
gfd_data_1_name =
show_gfd_excel = Y