The escudo was the currency of Mozambique from 1914 until 1980. It was subdivided into 100 centavos.[1][2]

Mozambican escudo
500 Escudos
ISO 4217
CodeMZE
before 2006: MZM
Unit
Symbol?
Denominations
Subunit
1100Centavo
Banknotes50, 100, 500, 1000 escudos
Coins10, 20, 50 centavos, 1, 2+12, 5, 10, 20 escudos
Demographics
User(s)Mozambique
Issuance
Central bankBanco Nacional Ultramarino
Valuation
Inflation?%
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete.

History edit

The escudo replaced the real at a rate of 1 escudo = 1000 réis. It was equal in value to the Portuguese escudo until 1977. Initially, Mozambique had its own paper money but used Portuguese coins. Only in 1935 were coins issued specifically for use in Mozambique. In 1975, the metica was proposed as a replacement for the escudo, but it was not used. The escudo was replaced by the metical in 1980 at par.

Coins edit

Between 1935 and 1936, coins for 10, 20 and 50 centavos, 1, 2+12, 5 and 10 escudos, with the 2+12, 5 and 10 escudos in silver. In 1952, silver 20 escudos were issued. Between 1968 and 1971, base metal coins replaced the silver 5, 10 and 20 escudos. The last coins were issued in 1974.

Banknotes edit

In 1914, provisional issues for 100 and 1000 escudos were introduced, alongside regular issues for 10, 20 and 50 centavos, by the Banco Nacional Ultramarino. Emergency issues of notes for 10, 20 and 50 centavos and 1 and 2+12 escudos were introduced in 1920, followed by regular issues for 1, 2+12, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 escudos. Emergency issues for 50 centevaos and regular 500 and 1000 escudos notes were introduced in 1941. In 1976, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 escudos notes of the Banco Nacional Ultramarino were overprinted with the name of the new issuing bank, the Banco de Moçambique.

References edit

  1. ^ Mata, Maria Eugénia (2020). The Portuguese Escudo Monetary Zone: its impact in colonial and post-colonial Africa. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 220. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-33857-2. ISBN 978-3-030-33857-2.
  2. ^ Gyllenbok, Jan (2018). Encyclopaedia of historical metrology, weights, and measures. Cham: Birkhäuser. p. 1769. ISBN 9783319667126.
Preceded by:
Mozambican real
Ratio: 1 escudo = 1000 réis
Currency of Mozambique
1914 – 1980
Succeeded by:
Mozambican metical
Ratio: at par