Obverse. Photo © Numisbalt
  • 20 Francs 2006, Congo, Democratic Republic, 2006 Football (Soccer) World Cup in Germany, Mascot
  • 20 Francs 2006, Congo, Democratic Republic, 2006 Football (Soccer) World Cup in Germany, Mascot
Description

The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international association football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six populated continents participated in the qualification process which began in September 2003. Thirty-one teams qualified from this process along with hosts Germany for the finals tournament. It was the second time that Germany staged the competition and the first as a unified country along with the former East Germany with Leipzig as a host city (the other was in 1974 in West Germany), and the 10th time that the tournament was held in Europe.

Italy won the tournament, claiming their fourth World Cup title, defeating France 5–3 in a penalty shoot-out in the final after extra time had finished in a 1–1 draw. Germany defeated Portugal 3–1 to finish in third place. Angola, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Trinidad and Tobago and Togo made their first appearances in the finals.

Obverse

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, and the denomination 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
20 FRANCS
2006

Reverse

Depicts the mascot of the event Goleo wearing a white T-shirt with number 06, and Pille smiling over his right foot and TM below the other enclosed by the inscription of the event above with date and TM.

Goleo VI was the official mascot of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, hosted in Germany. A friendly lion character dressed in a simple white soccer jersey emblazoned with the number "06," Goleo was always accompanied by his humorous sidekick, a talking football named Pille. While the choice of a lion was unusual—Germany's symbolic animal is the eagle—Goleo was meant to embody the strength, pride, and enthusiasm of the event. Despite some mixed reactions, Goleo became a recognizable figure during the tournament, appearing at events and in promotional materials, and contributing to the vibrant, playful atmosphere of the 2006 World Cup.

2006 FIFA WORLD CUP GERMANY TM
06
TM

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.999
Weight 1.24 g
Diameter 13.92 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Mint of Finland

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