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20 Centavos
| Issuer | São Tomé and Príncipe |
|---|---|
| Year | 1929 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Laureate and draped bust of Liberty facing left, her hair elaborately arranged beneath a laurel wreath with flowing locks descending to the truncation. The engraver's monogram appears at the base of the bust. The circular legend REPUBLICA PORTUGUESA arcs around the upper periphery, with the date 1929 positioned in the lower field. The border is formed by a continuous ring of beads. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | REPUBLICA PORTUGUESA REGO GR 1929 |
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| Additional information |
São Tomé and Príncipe's first dedicated coinage series was issued under Portuguese colonial administration in 1929, replacing the practice of circulating mainland Portuguese coins on the islands. The territory had no mint of its own; these pieces were struck in Lisbon for colonial distribution across what was then a modestly productive cacao-exporting economy.
Nickel brass was the chosen alloy largely because of its durability in tropical climates, where humidity accelerates corrosion in lower-grade copper issues. Genuine uncirculated survivors are scarce — the islands' small population and active trade circulation ensured most examples saw considerable use.