Congo, Democratic Republic 5 Francs 2003

History

5 Francs 2003, Congo, Democratic Republic, 2004 UEFA European Football Championship in Portugal

Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)

Description

The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly known as Euro 2004, took place in Portugal from June 12 to July 4, marking the first time the country hosted the tournament. It was a memorable championship, both for its impressive stadiums and its stunning upsets. Portugal, the host nation, entered with a strong lineup led by emerging stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and veteran players such as Luís Figo. Expectations were high as the host nation reached the final after defeating England and the Netherlands. The tournament featured thrilling matches, including standout performances by lesser-known teams, and displayed a more defensive, tactical style of play, diverging from the higher-scoring tournaments of the past.

The biggest surprise of Euro 2004 was the unexpected success of Greece. Managed by Otto Rehhagel, the Greek team focused on a disciplined, defensive strategy that allowed them to beat heavily favored opponents, including France in the quarterfinals and the Czech Republic in the semifinals. In a shocking finale, Greece defeated Portugal 1-0, with Angelos Charisteas scoring the decisive goal. This victory marked Greece’s first major international trophy and was hailed as one of the greatest underdog achievements in sports history. The tournament remains iconic for its upsets and for showcasing rising talents who would shape European football for years to come.

Obverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Lion Depicts an official emblem of the Laurent Kabila regime: a mature male lion standing to the left amid grass, symbolizing strength and authority. Above the lion is the country’s name in French, the date of issue is placed below. Kabila’s regime, which began in 1997 after he overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko, was characterized by efforts to rebuild the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) after decades of dictatorship. His government sought to restore national sovereignty, but faced internal conflict and external pressures, particularly during the Second Congo War. REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE DU CONGO 2003
Reverse	Colorised Flag Portugal Geography & astronomy Map Sport, Olympics Football (soccer) Depicts a map of Portugal with eight cities hosting the tournaments and eight balls symbol of each city alongside the rim in a semi-circle surrounding the map, the multicolored flag of Portugal in the middle, the date of issue above it, and the denomination below. The national flag of Portugal, a rectangular bicolor with green on the hoist and red on the fly, features the Portuguese coat of arms centered on the color boundary. Presented on December 1, 1910, after the fall of the monarchy, it was officially adopted on June 30, 1911. Designed by a commission including Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, João Chagas, and Abel Botelho, the flag’s colors—especially green—marked a distinct shift from traditional monarchical symbols to republican ideals. BRAGA GUIMARAES PORTO AVEIRO COIMBRA LEIRIA LISBON FARO-LOULE 2004 5 FRANCS
Edge	Reeded (milled)