Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 10 Avos 1952, KM# 2, Macau
  • 10 Avos 1952, KM# 2, Macau
Description

Macau was formerly a colony of the Portuguese Empire, after Ming China leased the territory as a trading post in 1557. Originally governing under Chinese authority and sovereignty, Portugal was given perpetual occupation rights for Macau in 1887. Macau remained under Portuguese control until 1999, when it was returned to China.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms (1951-1976), the name of colony in Portuguese and Cantonese, date below.

The coats of arms of the Portuguese colonies were introduced in 1935. All arms were of the same model: divided vertically in such a way that two sub-shields are formed. The dexter was white with five small blue shields each bearing five white discs (i.e. Cinco Quinas, Five Quinas representing the motherland). The sinister represented the colony. The colonial sub-shields for Angola depicted the Chinese holding a single Quin. In the base green and white waves to indicate the overseas location. To complete the badge, the arms were set upon a golden armillary sphere with a golden mural crown. The crown had 5 apparent towers in each tower charged an armillary sphere and in each space between towers charged Christ’s cross.

⋆ MACAU ⋆
門 澳
⋆ 1952 ⋆

Reverse

Value in Cantonese flanked by upper and lower dots within circle. Country name on top, value below.

REPUBLICA PORTUGUESA
毫 壹
⋆10 AVOS⋆

Edge

10 Avos

KM# 2 AG# R 03.01 Schön# 2
Characteristics
Material Bronze
Weight 4.02 g
Diameter 20.3 mm
Thickness 1.53 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Portuguese Mint and Official Printing Office (INCM)

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