Angola – Monarchy Coins

The monarchy‑period coins that circulated in Angola form a historically significant numismatic group, comprising copper and silver issues from the reign of King Pedro II to the end of the monarchy under King Carlos I. These include denominations expressed in réis and macutas, as well as silver multiples specifically intended for use in Angola, reflecting the economic and administrative needs of the colonial period. Notable pieces include the copper coins countermarked with the crowned escutcheon applied during the reign of Queen Maria II under the Edict of 21 March 1837, which doubled the face value of earlier issues to address the shortage of local currency. Also included are the copper coins of mainland Portugal dated 1871 to 1874 from the reign of King Luís I, whose circulation in Angola was authorised by the Ministry of Finance on 24 January 1871. In the late nineteenth century, during the reign of King Carlos I, additional crowned‑escutcheon countermarks were applied to silver coins destined for circulation in Angola, as established by Ordinance No. 527 of 31 December 1895. Together, these issues illustrate the diversity of coinage, monetary reforms and local adaptations that characterised Angola’s monetary system during the monarchy.