Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Centavos 2003-2017, KM# 5, East Timor (Timor-Leste)
  • 50 Centavos 2003-2017, KM# 5, East Timor (Timor-Leste)
Description

East Timor or Timor-Leste is an island country in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island surrounded by Indonesian West Timor. Australia is the country's southern neighbour, separated by the Timor Sea.

East Timor centavo coins were introduced in East Timor in 2003 for use alongside United States dollar banknotes and coins, which were introduced in 2000 to replace the Indonesian rupiah following the commencement of U.N. administration. Unlike coins issued for the Panamanian balboa or the Ecuadorian centavo, the East Timorese coins are not identical in size to their U.S. cent counterparts.

Engraver: José Bandeira

Obverse

Depicts Coffee beans, country name above and date below.

A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit. Even though the coffee beans are not technically beans, they are referred to as such because of their resemblance to true beans. The fruits – coffee cherries or coffee berries – most commonly contain two stones with their flat sides together.

REPÚBLICA DEMOCRATICA DE TIMOR-LESTE
B-D
C 2004

Reverse

Value, Kaibauk below, tais pattern along border.

The Kaibauk is a type of headdress worn by the Timorese liurai. Traditionally made of silver, it is shaped like the horns of a water buffalo.

Tais cloth is a form of traditional weaving created by the women of East Timor. An essential part of the nation's cultural heritage, tais weavings are used for ceremonial adornment, sign of respect and appreciation towards guests, friends, relatives, home decor, and personal apparel.

50
centavos

Edge
Characteristics
Material Nickel Brass
Weight 6.5 g
Diameter 25 mm
Thickness 2.9 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Portuguese Mint and Official Printing Office (INCM)

Related coins

Nickel Clad Steel, 3.1 g, ⌀ 17 mm