2.5 Escudos 1953 [Angola]

Coins-Africa

Reverse
Along the upper edge of the coin, the inscription 'REPUBLIKA . PORTUGUESA' (Portuguese Republic) arcs from left to right. At the bottom, the mint year '1953' is flanked by two rosettes. In the center, on a background of a broad cross, is the lesser coat of arms of Portugal: a heraldic shield on an armillary sphere. The shield features five escutcheons arranged in a cross, each with bezants. The shield is bordered by a wide bordure with seven castles.
Obverse
Along the upper edge of the coin, the name of the province 'ANGOLA' arcs in Portuguese. It is flanked left and right by three rosettes with four petals each, the outer ones small, the central one large. In the center is the coat of arms of the province: a heraldic shield, divided per pall, on an armillary sphere, topped with five towers. Between the towers are four escutcheons with the Cross of the Order of Christ. The left third of the shield shows a fragment of the Portuguese coat of arms; the right third depicts typical Angolan fauna—an African elephant and a zebra; the base shows waves. Below is the inscription '2 $5O', meaning 'two and a half escudos'.