Angolan angolar


The angolar was the currency of Portuguese Angola between 1928 and 1958. It was subdivided into 100 centavos or 20 macutas. Angolar is Portuguese for "of Angola".

History

The angolar was introduced in 1928 to replace the escudo. Banknotes were exchanged at a rate of 1 angolar = 1.25 escudos. However, the exchange rate with the Portuguese escudo remained at par, indicating that the earlier Angolan banknotes were devalued as part of the reform, rather than the angolar actually having a new, higher value. Coins were unaffected by the reform. In 1958, the name of the currency was switched back to escudo after a period of time during which coins denominated in escudos had already begun to circulate.

Coins

In addition to those coins already circulating, new 10, 20 and 50 centavo coins were issued between 1948 and 1950. The first escudo coins were issued dated 1952.

Banknotes

In 1928, the Junta de Moeda introduced notes in denominations of 1, 2½, 5 and 10 angolares, whilst the Bank of Angola introduced 20, 50, 100 and 500 angolar notes dated 1927. In 1942, the Governo Geral took over the issuance of 1 and 2½ angolar notes. 1000 angolar notes were added by the Bank of Angola in 1944, followed by 5 and 10 angolares in 1947.