Modern coinage of São Tomé e Príncipe (Saint Thomas and Prince)

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DESIGN SERIES OF 1997

Sao Tome had very high inflation through the 1980s and into the 1990s.

The inflation rate peaked at 69% in 1997.


A new series of high denomination coins was issued in 1997.

They consisted of 100, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 dobras.


All the coins were made of chromium-plated steel.

They were produced by the Royal Mint (UK).


Like the previous series, these coins were all FAO-themed.

F.A.O. = Food and Agricultural Organization (of the United Nations).

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100 dobras, 1997.  Obverse.

The common obverse of the 1997 series featured the coat of arms.

The 100 dobras coin was the lowest denomination of the series.

It was round, weighed 2.6 grams and had a diameter of 17.5 mm.

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100 dobras, 1997.  Reverse.

The reverse design featured a pigeon on a sugar cane stalk.

The Pico de Príncipe mountain appeared in the background.

All the reverse designs were by Royal Mint artist Robert Elderton

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The Pico de Príncipe mountain on the island of Príncipe.

See also:  Mountains and volcanoes on coins.

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250 dobras, 1997.  Reverse.

The 250 dobras coin was round.

It weighed 3.5 grams and had a diameter of 20 mm.

The reverse design featured a peregrine falcon on a mango tree

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500 dobras, 1997.  Obverse.

The remaining coins of the series were all heptagonal in shape.

Here you see how the coat of arms looked on the obverse.

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500 dobras, 1997.  Reverse.

The 500 dobras coin was heptagonal.

It weighed 5 grams and had a diameter of 23 mm.


The reverse design featured a mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona).

It was shown crouching on a sugar cane stalk.

The Pico de São Tomé mountain appeared in the background.

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A mona monkey.

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1000 dobras, 1997.  Reverse.

The 1000 dobras coin was heptagonal.

It weighed 6.35 grams and had a diameter of 25 mm.


The reverse design featured an Etlingera elatior.

It is also known as torch ginger, red ginger lily, or torch lily.

Other names are the Philippine wax flower and the porcelain rose.

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Torch ginger.

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2000 dobras, 1997.  Reverse.

The 2000 dobras coin was heptagonal.

It weighed 8.6 grams and had a diameter of 28 mm.

This was the highest denomination of the series.


The reverse design featured mixed fruit.

Apart from the bananas, the fruit has not been identified.


At centre left is possibly a breadfruit.

At bottom right is possibly a tamarind.

If you have any information, please let me know.

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INTRODUCTION OF THE SECOND DOBRA

On August 25 2017 the Central Bank announced a redenomination of the dobra.

This was in commemoration of the Central Bank's 25th anniversary.

1 new dobra was equal to 1000 of the previous dobras.


A new series of five coins was issued on 1 January 2018.

The denominations consisted of 10, 20 and 50 cêntimos and 1 and 2 dobras.


The new reverse designs retained a wildlife theme.

They depicted some of the country's indigenous birds.

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10 centimos, 2017.  Obverse.

The common obverse featured the national coat of arms.

The 10 centimos coin was the lowest denomination of the series.

It was made of copper-plated steel.

It weighed 2.5 grams and was 18 mm in diameter.

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10 centimos, 2017.  Reverse.

The reverse depicted a white-bellied kingfisher.

Its scientific name is Corythornis leucogaster.

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A white-bellied kingfisher.