Belgian Congolese franc
| Congolese franc | |
|---|---|
| franc congolais (in French) | |
| ISO 4217 | |
| Code | CDF |
| Denominations | |
| Subunit | |
| 1/100 | centime |
| Symbol | FC |
| Banknotes | 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 centimes, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 20000 francs |
| Demographics | |
| User(s) |
 Democratic Republic of the CongoFormerly:  Belgian Congo Congo Free State
|
| Issuance | |
| Central bank | Central Bank of the Congo |
| Website | www |
| Valuation | |
| Inflation | 1.1% |
| Source | The World Factbook, 2015 est. |
The franc is the currency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is subdivided into 100 centimes.
During Belgian colonial rule, currency denominated in centimes and francs was issued for use in Congo. These francs were equal in value to the Belgian franc. From 1916, the Congolese franc also circulated in Rwanda and Burundi. From 1952, the currency was issued bearing the names Belgian Congo (either "Congo Belge" or "Belgische Congo") and "Ruanda-Urundi".
In 1960, Rwanda and Burundi adopted their own franc, whilst, between 1960 and 1963, Katanga also issued its own franc.
The franc remained Congo's currency after independence until 1967, when the zaïre was introduced, at a rate of 1 zaïre = 1000 francs.
In 1887, holed, copper coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 10 centimes, together with silver coins worth 50 centimes, and 1, 2, and 5 francs. Coins ceased to be minted of silver in 1896. Holed, cupro-nickel 5-, 10- and 20-centime coins were introduced in 1906, with the remaining copper coins (worth 1 and 2 centimes) minted until 1919. Cupro-nickel 50-centime and 1-franc coins were introduced in 1921 and 1920, respectively.
The coinage of Belgian Congo ceased in 1929, only to be resumed in 1936 and 1937 for the issue of nickel-bronze 5-franc coins. In 1943, hexagonal, brass 2-franc coins were introduced, followed by round, brass coins worth 1, 2 and 5 francs, and silver 50-franc coins, between 1944 and 1947.
In 1952, brass 5-franc coins were issued carrying the name "Ruanda-Urundi" for the first time.
Aluminum coins worth 50 centimes, 1 and 5 francs followed between 1954 and 1957. In 1965, the only franc-denominated coins of the first Democratic Republic of Congo were issued, aluminum coins worth 10 francs.
As with Belgium's own coins, some types were issued in two distinct versions, one with French legends, the other with Dutch legends.
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Wikipedia