Cape Verde - Colonial Coins

The coins of Cape Verde form a distinctive chapter of Portuguese colonial numismatics, reflecting the strategic importance of the archipelago since its discovery by Portuguese navigators in the fifteenth century and its role in Atlantic trade routes. Throughout most of the colonial period, Cape Verde relied exclusively on Portuguese coinage, as the small population and limited economic activity did not justify local issues. Circulation was based on the real and later the escudo system, following the monetary reforms applied across the Portuguese Empire. Currency shortages were frequent and were addressed through shipments of Portuguese coins, without the need for countermarks or special authorizations. Cape Verde’s own coinage appeared only in the twentieth century, during the Republican period, with bronze, cupronickel and silver issues struck at the Lisbon Mint, preceding the final issues before independence in 1975. Coins issued after independence can be found under World Coins, in the section Africa – Cape Verde.