Coins issued in 1762

Angolan Macutas

In the middle of the XVIII century in colonial Angola, instead of slave trade and wars, trade relations are established. This develops the monetary system of the state. The Portuguese mint Loios printed in 1762 standard editions of copper and silver coins of Makuta. This is the name of the monetary unit received from cotton fabric, which was used earlier as commodity money. One and a half meter piece of fabric was considered a bargaining chip.
Copper coins have a large weight and sizes from 32 mm to 43 mm:
- ¼ macuta, weight 9.8 g;
- ½ macuta, weight 19 g;
- 1 macuta, weight 36.5 g.
Silver monetary units are smaller in weight and size, from 21 mm to 35 mm:
- 2 macutas, weight 2.95 g;
- 4 macutas, weight 5.7 g;
- 6 macutas, weight 8.75 g;
- 8 macutas, weight 11.7 g;
- 10 macutas, weight 14.55 g;
- 12 macutas, weight 17.5 g.
Copper moneys macutas, in denominations of ¼,½, 1, are similar to each other. On the front side is applied the cost and the name of the denomination, in two words, with the transfer. The signs are separated by decorative ornament of five cross-shaped elements, and decorated with a circle of decorative points. The legend indicates the year of issue and the names of the countries in Portuguese: Africa and Portugal. On the back, on a metal globe, the coat of arms of the king of Portugal, Brazil, Guinea, algaurus – Joseph Emmanuel Jose I. Above the coat of arms – crown. In the legend, the abbreviation indicates the name and titles of the ruler in Latin. The obverse of silver coins is shaped like copper money. The difference is that instead of a decorative circle of dots, a wreath of leaves is used. The face value of silver coins is formed by three dividing signs, instead of five, like copper banknotes. Image decorative leaf on the coins of denominations different value is slightly different in appearance. On the back is printed the coat of arms, over which is depicted the crown of king Jose I. In the legend, like the reverses of copper coins, printed text with the name and titles of the ruler.