Congo, Democratic Republic 10 Francs 2004

History

10 Francs 2004, Congo, Democratic Republic, 2004 UEFA European Football Championship in Portugal, Flag of the Netherlands

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 2004
Reverse	Colorised Flag Netherlands People (man, woman, child etc.) Athlete Sport, Olympics Football (soccer) Depicts two soccer players battling for the ball, with the colored Dutch flag displayed above. The issue year appears above the players, and the denomination is positioned on the left. The national flag of the Netherlands, adopted in 1937, consists of three horizontal stripes in red, white, and blue, from top to bottom. This tricolor design has its origins in the 16th century, during the Dutch struggle for independence from Spain. Initially, the top stripe was orange, symbolizing the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. However, the orange stripe eventually changed to red for practical reasons, as the red dye proved to be more stable and visible at sea. The Dutch flag is a symbol of freedom, resilience, and unity, reflecting the Netherlands' history and values. 2004 10 FRANCS
Edge	Reeded (milled)