Katanga

In June 1960, The Belgian Congo gained independence from Belgium, and was renamed omitting "Belgian".

Independence proved to be chaotic and civil war erupted with the two main factions being supported by the USA and USSR in opposition. The United Nations mounted a peacekeeping operation.

The richest province, Katanga, with its natural resources including copper cobalt and uranium, declared itself a independent state. This secession was led by Moishe Tshombe, supported by the Belgian owned mining company and an army of European mercenaries, among whom the infamous Colonels Schramme and Denard.

In The Congo, Joseph Mobutu lead a military coup which overthrew the government of Prime Minister Patrice Lubumba. By 1963, the dream of an independent Katanga was over and it was renamed Shaba or Shabasa, and the capital Elizabethville was renamed Lubumbashi, and integral part of The Congo. later named Zaire.

In its brief period of independence, Katanga issued a beautiful gold coin of 5 franc.

The obverse design consists of a large bunch of bananas, quite a rare symbol on any coin. On the large flat raised border is ths single word KATANGA. The reverse design is a large "Katanga cross", and the inscripion 5 FR BANQUE NATIONALE 1961.

A Katanga cross was a form of ancient money used in this area from about the tenth century until about 1920, and called "handa".