Mozambique 100 Escudos 1961 Banco de Moçambique Overprint P-117a | Vintage Banknote XF Condition
A fascinating piece of Mozambican monetary history, this 100 Escudos banknote was originally issued by the Banco Nacional Ultramarino on 27 March 1961 and was subsequently overprinted BANCO DE MOÇAMBIQUE in 1976.
The note features a detailed multicolour design with the portrait of Aires de Ornelas on the obverse and the historic Banco Nacional Ultramarino emblem featuring a sailing ship on the reverse. The denomination CEM ESCUDOS is prominently displayed on both sides.
This issue is catalogued as Pick P-117a, representing the Banco de Moçambique overprint applied to the earlier 1961 Banco Nacional Ultramarino P-109 design.
Banknote Details
- Country: Mozambique
- Denomination: 100 Escudos
- Currency: Mozambican Escudo
- Original Issue Date: 27 March 1961
- Overprint Issue: 1976
- Issuer: Banco Nacional Ultramarino
- Overprint: BANCO DE MOÇAMBIQUE
- Catalogue Number: Pick P-117a
- Serial Number: C54618317
- Portrait: Aires de Ornelas
- Printer: Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., United Kingdom
- Watermark: Coat of Arms
- Condition: Fine / VG-F, with folds and age-related handling wear
- Status: Demonetized historical banknote
Historical Background
The original 100 Escudos note was issued during the period when Mozambique was an overseas province of Portugal. Banco Nacional Ultramarino was responsible for issuing banknotes in Mozambique, and the 100 Escudos design was introduced on 27 March 1961.
Following Mozambique's independence, existing Banco Nacional Ultramarino notes were reused with a BANCO DE MOÇAMBIQUE overprint. The resulting P-117 issue is an interesting transitional banknote connecting Mozambique's Portuguese colonial monetary history with the country's newly established national banking system.