Guinea - Colonial Coins

The coins of Guinea form a distinct chapter of Portuguese colonial numismatics, reflecting the administrative and commercial presence established after the effective occupation of the territory in the fifteenth century and its role along the Atlantic routes of West Africa. Throughout the colonial period, Guinea relied exclusively on Portuguese coinage, as the territory’s limited economic and demographic scale 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 common and were addressed through shipments of Portuguese coins, without the need for countermarks or special authorizations. Guinea’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 1973. Coins issued after independence can be found under World Coins, in the section Africa – Guinea.