...Portuguese Guinea - 1971 Escudos Series

Província Portuguesa da Guiné

Overseas Province of Guinea

 

Banco Nacional Ultramarino (Est.1864 Lisbon Portugal)

Currency - Escudos (PTE)

 

Below are two notes issued by Banco Nacional Ultramarino and both notes are dated 17 de Dezembro de 1971 (17.12.1971). These are the last banknotes issued before the country gained independence in 1974 and called itself Guinea-Bissau. In general, the Overseas Province of Guinea is commonly known as Portuguese Guinea. Portugal had occupied Portuguese Guinea since 1588 and commenced issuing the Escudo currency in 1914. Following independence, the country issued it's own Peso currency and replaced the Escudos at par. 

Whilst there are a few varieties in signatures for this 1971 series, and in terms of denominations issued for this series, I am missing the 500 escudos piece. There are only two varieties for this 500 escudos issued but at the moment the selling price for one is a bit too expensive for me to get one.

These are the only two banknotes I have from Portuguese Guinea.

Fifty Escudos

Governador - Francisco Jose Vieira Machado

Administrador - Luis Esteves Fernandes

Watermark - Nuno Tristao

Dimensions - 162mm x 80.5mm

 

Front - The portrait of Nuno Tristao facing right. He was a 15th century Portuguese explorer and slave trader and was active in the early 1440s. Nuno Tristao was born in Porto Portugal to a wealthy merchant family. Given the past history and his activity in Africa, I am just wondering why they issued banknotes with the portrait of Nuno Tristao? Were the authorities deliberately insulting the Guinea's natives at that time? I personally find that honouring Nuno Tristao by printing his portrait note is a bit strange, even back in the early 1970s. To glorify a Slaves Trader even in 1971 should not be entertained. Furthermore, these banknotes were circulating in a territory where human beings were kidnapped during broad daylight and then shipped overseas just like animals or commercial goods. Was there a better reason than what I have mentioned?

 

Back - A bank coat of arms to the bottom left. A young woman with her back facing the front, looking over the open sea. I believe there are at least 8 or 9 ships built through various eras and I am unable to identify them all. It looks like one is a viking ship, a galleon, a caravel, an ocean steam liner, a tugboat, a Portuguese man-of-war etc. The galleon has been the favorite ship as the Portuguese used them to sail along the African coast for more than 300+ years for 'you know what' purpose. This ship has been used during conflict times as well as 'trade'.

 

As for the woman, I wonder if there was a reason to have a woman looking out to the sea that has any significant meaning to the design, or it is just an artist's impression to include a human being image on the note. Is she actually based on a real life person? 

 

One Hundred Escudos 

 

Governador - Francisco Jose Vieira Machado

Administrador - Luis Esteves Fernandes

Watermark - Nuno Tristao

Dimensions - 167mm x 86mm