50 francs 1953
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6 salesAbout This Note
This Belgian Congo 50 francs note from 1953 presents an attractive example of colonial African currency featuring bilingual French-Dutch design typical of the period. The obverse displays a male portrait in green tones with ornate purple and pink rosette denomination framing, while the reverse depicts two laborers hauling a large net in a coastal setting, rendered in gray and purple. In VF condition, the note exhibits expected age-related patina with visible foxing and discoloration consistent with nearly seven decades of existence, making it a desirable mid-grade example for collectors of Central African colonial currency.
Common. The eBay price history shows consistent sales activity across multiple condition grades (VG, F, VF, UNC) over a 14-year period (2010-2024), with VF examples regularly achieving $255-$430. The catalog value of $125 for VF condition and the frequency of sales indicate this is a readily available note in the collector market. The 1953 50 francs denomination from this issuer was produced in standard quantities for regular circulation, and substantial numbers survive today. No evidence of low print runs or scarcity factors justifies a higher rarity designation.
The Banque Centrale du Congo Belge et du Ruanda-Urundi issued this note during the final years of Belgian colonial administration in Central Africa, a period marked by increasing attention to native labor and economic production. The reverse's depiction of fishermen hauling nets reflects the colonial economic focus on natural resource extraction and indigenous labor, while the bilingual French-Dutch inscriptions underscore Belgium's administrative control over the region. This 1953 issue predates Congo's independence by seven years, making it a significant artifact of the transitional late-colonial period.
The note features a classical engraved design typical of mid-20th century European colonial currency. The obverse showcases a male portrait in profile facing left, rendered in green intaglio with fine detail work characteristic of high-security banknote engraving. A gold star accent appears at the top center, and the denomination 'CINQUANTE FRANCS' is framed within an ornate purple and pink rosette design. The reverse depicts two laborers in a realistic scene hauling a large fishing net on a beach or shoreline, with a water body and distant landscape visible in the background. Both sides feature intricate geometric border frames and decorative corner elements. The bilingual design (French obverse, Dutch reverse) reflects the dual administrative nature of the Belgian Congo, with signature spaces for 'LE GOUVERNEUR' (Governor) and 'LE PREMIER DIRECTEUR' (First Director) on the reverse.
FRONT SIDE: 'BANQUE CENTRALE DU CONGO BELGE ET DU RUANDA-URUNDI' (Central Bank of Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi); 'CINQUANTE FRANCS' (Fifty Francs); 'PAYABLES A VUE' (Payable on Demand); 'LE CONTREFACTEUR EST PUNI DE SERVITUDE PENALE' (The counterfeiter is punished with penal servitude); Date: '15.11.53' (November 15, 1953); Serial number: 'B737692'. BACK SIDE: 'CENTRALE BANK VAN BELGISCH-CONGO EN RUANDA-URUNDI' (Central Bank of Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi); 'VIJFTIG FRANK' (Fifty Francs); 'BETAALBAAR OP ZICHT' (Payable on Sight); 'DE EERSTE DIRECTEUR' (The First Director); 'DE GOUVERNEUR' (The Governor); 'DE NAMAKER WORDT MET STRAFDIENST GESTRAFT' (The counterfeiter is punished with penal servitude).
Intaglio (engraved) printing, executed by BWC (Banque de Belgique/Waterlow & Sons or similar security printer), as indicated in the catalog data. The fine line engraving visible throughout both sides, the detailed portrait work, the complex ornate border designs, and the multi-color overprinting on a cream-colored security paper base are all hallmarks of professional banknote intaglio production. The watermark featuring a leopard's head provides additional security.
This example represents the P-27a variety (printer BWC), as indicated in the PMG population report. The note exhibits the standard 1953 design with issue date 15.11.53 and serial number B737692 (prefix B). The catalog notes three variants (P-27a, P-27b, and P-27cts) exist for this base Pick number, likely representing minor printing variations. The bilingual design (French/Dutch) is standard for all varieties of this denomination and issuer during this period. No overprints or special markings are evident on this example.
