Watch List notes:

MOZAMBIQUE:LOT of 3 NGC graded coins including; 1 centimo 1975 NGC MS-65, 2 centimos 1975 NGC MS-64RB, and 5 centimos 1975 NGC MS-62RB, retail value $200, lot of 3 graded coins. Samora Machel, who was the leader of the FRELIMO black independence movement, established a one party Marxist state in Mozambique, and it is his portrait that can be seen on the obverse of all the coins. This set, which is dated 1975, ranks as Mozambique's first independent coinage. The British Royal Mint prepared the designs, which consist of eight denominations, in late 1974. The proposals for this alternative coinage were discussed in an atmosphere of great secrecy because of the Portuguese situation at the time. The Mint could not produce the full amount agreed in time because of various difficulties, but some hundreds of thousands of coins were minted. It is our understanding that the minting of these coins was contracted out to the Birmingham Mint. The designs, however, were created by English artist Geoffrey Colley, who was under contract to the Royal Mint. Mr Colley also designed the first decimal circulation coin set of Nigeria, as well as the first circulation set of the United Arab Emirates. At some point the coins reached the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), who apparently held them in storage for their Marxist African ally. Whether any of the coins ever reached Mozambique, and if so, whether any were issued and circulated, is a question that remains shrouded in mystery to this day. What we do know is that in 2003, after a dispute with the Royal Mint, the Birmingham Mint was forced to close. It was after that event that pieces from the 1975 Mozambique set started appearing on eBay.

Estimate: 100-150 USD