Obverse of 1961 Katangan 5 Francs

1961 Katangan 5 Francs
In 1960 , the old Belgian congo gained independence from Belgium. The whole area endured a barbaric and messy civil war with the USA and USSR backing opposing factions. There was a less than successful peacekeeping operation by the United Nations, which ws heavily criticised at the time and since. The mineral rich Northern province of Katanga broke away as a separate state, but its independence was short lived. In 1961 Katanga issued coins for the only time in its existence. There were 1 franc and 5 franc coins in bronze, the 5 francs were also issued in gold. Both coin denominations share the same design, a bunch of bananas on the obverse and a katanga cross on the reverse. The katanga was a local form of primitive money made of copper, and often used as a dowry or bride payment.
The US - Cuba crisis flared in 1961, Hassan II became King of Morocco, South Africa withdrew from the British Commonwealth to become a republic, Sierra Leone was granted independence from the United Kingdom, and the Berlin Wall was begun.
Notable deaths in 1961 include President Patrice Lubumba of the Congo in the above mentioned civil war, and King Mohammed V of Morocco. Births this year included Diana Spencer on July 1st.

Reverse of 1961 Katangan 5 Francs