50 Francs, Bank of the Belgian Congo, Belgian Congo, 1943–1952 (Pick 16)

This 50 Francs note was issued in Belgian Congo by the Bank of the Belgian Congo, with dates recorded from 1943–1952. It belongs to the Franc (1908-1960) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Leopold III (1934-1951). It measures 150 × 95 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 16.

Obverse: Black on multicolor underprint. Frame made up of repeating patterns with the value “50” repeated in the corners. Vegetation on the sides. On the upper border, the issuing institute “BANQUE DU CONGO BELGE” and below, the Congolese star printed in yellow in a blue rectangle. On the left, a large rosette containing the value “50” and the value in letters below. Overprint in red in the center with the issue and the year. On the right in an oval medallion, the portrait of a young African woman in profile in black and white. The series and number of the ticket are printed four times in red. Signatures are printed in black at the bottom. The article of the penal code is printed in white on one line in the frame. Several combinations of signatures with The Managing Director and The Governor. Its lettering reads “BANQUE DU CONGO BELGE / SERIE SERIE / EMISSION / SERIE SERIE / CINQUANTE FRANCS / PAYABLE A VUE / L'ADMINISTRATEUR DELEGUE DE AFGEVAARIDGE BEHEERDER / LE GOUVERNEUR / DE GUVERNEUR / LA LOI PUNIT LE CONTREFACTEUR DES TRAVAUX FORCES / AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Bank of Belgian Congo Fifty Francs Payable at sight The Law punishes forced labor Counterfeiters.”.

Reverse: Dark-green on multicolor underprint. Texts in Dutch. Leopard at centre. Its lettering reads “BANK VAN BELGISCH CONGO / UITGIFTE / VIJFTIG FRANK / BETAALBAAR OP ZICHT / DE NAMAKER WORT DOOR DE WET MET DWANGARBREID GESTRAFT / AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Bank of Belgian Congo Fifty Francs Payable at sight The Law punishes forced labor Counterfeiters.”. The note was printed by American Banknote Corporation (American Bank Note Company), United States (1795-date). Demonetized: Yes.

Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.