The 1960 5 Escudos coin issued for Mozambique, then a Portuguese colony, is a silver piece cataloged internationally as KM #84.
📐 Specifications
- Denomination: 5 Escudos
- Year: 1960
- Material: Silver, approximately 65% (0.650) purity.
- Weight: ~4.0 grams
- Diameter: ≈22 mm
- Thickness: ~1.2 mm
- Edge: reeded
- Mintage: around 8,000,000 coins minted in 1960.
Design
- Obverse: shows the country name (“MOÇAMBIQUE”) and the denomination “5$00”, along with the local coat of arms — typically featuring an armillary sphere over the Cross of Christ.
- Reverse: features the Portuguese coat of arms, with the legend “REPÚBLICA PORTUGUESA” and the year “1960”.
The coin was part of the regular circulation series during the colonial period and was minted by the Lisbon Mint.
Historical Significance
- The coin represents a period when Mozambique was still a Portuguese colony (before independence in 1975), giving it historical and collectible value.
- It belongs to the Escudo monetary system used in the territory, predecessor to later currencies.
- Although the mintage was relatively high (8 million pieces), surviving coins in good condition today are sought after by collectors.
Numismatic Value and Current Market
The value of a coin depends on several factors: condition (circulated or uncirculated), collector demand, relative rarity, and mint state.
Approximate values for the 1960 5 Escudos coin:
| Grade / Condition | Approximate Value (Catalog) |
|---|---|
| Uncirculated (UNC) | ~ €39.28 |
| Extremely Fine (XF) | ~ €13.34 |
| Very Fine (VF) / well-preserved | ~ €7.77 |
| Circulated (F / VG / G) | ~ €2.89 – €4.53 |
- Coins in excellent condition (sharp details, original luster) can be worth ten times or more than circulated examples.
- The intrinsic value of the silver metal is lower than the collector value.
- The real numismatic value comes from a combination of condition + historical significance + scarcity of high-quality pieces.
Why Collectors Value This Coin
- It represents a historical period — colonial Mozambican coins are no longer in circulation.
- It is part of complete series of colonial coins, sought by collectors of Portuguese/colonial coins.
- Well-preserved coins (no wear, original color) are rarer over time, increasing their market value.
- Allows comparison of minting variations and conditions — appealing to serious numismatists.
Tips for Owners or Buyers
- Examine details: relief sharpness, edge wear, silver luster, scratches, or corrosion.
- Aggressively cleaned or polished coins lose collector value even if they look nice — collectors prefer original patina.
- Check authenticity and provenance, preferably through recognized dealers or numismatic houses.
- Compare with reference catalogs — values vary according to market, demand, and condition.
Conclusion
The 1960 5 Escudos coin from Mozambique is historically and numismatically significant: materially simple, yet rich in meaning. For collectors of Portuguese or colonial coins, it represents a tangible connection to Mozambique’s past under Portuguese rule.
Its current value comes less from the silver content and more from preservation, condition, rarity of high-quality pieces, and collector interest. A well-preserved coin is a small “memory jewel” — valuable for its history and potential appreciation over time.
