In the early 1500's the Portuguese established themselves along the coast of modern Mozambique and along the banks of the lower Zambezi river, determined to monopolize Mwanamutapa's trade.
In 1752, Portugal's possessions on East Africa's coast were separated from Portuguese India and placed under a captain general, residing in the city of Mozambique, which in time gave it's name to the country.
In the 1950's, the Portuguese overseas colony was re-branded an overseas province of Portugal, and by the early 1970's, it was officially upgraded to the status of Portuguese non-sovereign state, by which it would remain a Portuguese territory but with a wider administrative autonomy. In 1975, Mozambique became independent.
The escudo was the currency of Mozambique from 1914 until 1980. It was subdivided into 100 centavos.
The first metical replaced the escudo on 16 June 1980, also divided into 100 centavos.
Portugal ruled the African country of Mozambique until 1975, so coins dated 1960 bear a Portuguese look and feel. The general shapes include a shield with waves near the bottom, a globe with a crown on top, or a combination of shields and globes.
Coins from Portuguese Mozambique use centavo and escudo denominations, with 100 centavos in one escudo. After becoming a full republic, independent of Portugal, the money system in Mozambique changed to centavos and metica.
Colonial Mozambican coat of arms designed in 1933 is based on a Portuguese arms design with a background charged with the colonial greater arms: a round point shield tierced in mantel, five blue escutcheon arranged in cross, each charged with five bezants saltire seven arrows pointing down tied with a tie, four waves the Portuguese traditional heraldic sea.
The shield rests on a large armillary sphere in an "art nouveau" perspective less style, crowned with a five tower castle wall, with armillary sphere on each tower and one shield charged with an Order of Christ cross on each of the four crenel gaps between the towers.
OBVERSE : Colonial Mozambican coat of arms, date at bottom.
Lettering: MOÇAMBIQUE · ፠ · 1960 · ፠ ·
REVERSE : Value with inscription
Lettering: REPUBLICA · PORTUGUESA ፠ 10 CENTAVOS
EDGE : Smooth
Mint: Lisbon, Portugal
Mintage in 1960 3 750 000
Country Portuguese Mozambique
Period Overseas province of Portugal (1951-1975)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1960-1961
Value 10 Centavos
Currency Escudo (1911-1974)
Composition Bronze
Weight 1.7 g
Diameter 16 mm
Thickness 1.15 mm
Shape Round
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized Yes
References KM#83, Schön#18, Gomes#R 03.xx