Congo
Democratic Republic of The Congo
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo, located in Central Africa, has a complex history shaped by colonial rule and post-independence challenges. It was first controlled as the personal possession of King Leopold II of Belgium (the Congo Free State) from 1885, before becoming a Belgian colony in 1908. The country gained independence in 1960, followed by periods of political instability and later reconstitution as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Following independence, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has issued a wide and expressive range of postage stamps reflecting its national identity. These issues highlight themes such as native wildlife, cultural heritage, political milestones, and international engagement, often rendered in bold and colorful designs. The stamps serve as a visual narrative of the country’s aspirations, challenges, and evolving place in the world. The territory initially used currencies aligned with the Belgian franc during the colonial period, later introducing its own Congolese franc after independence. In 1967 it transitioned to the Zaire = 100 Makuta = 100 Sengi. The country transitioned back to Congolese Francs in 1997.
See Also: Katanga, India UN Force Congo
1960 - Congo DRC 50 Centimes - Galago Independence Overprint
Orig First Issue: 16 Oct 1959Overprint Issued: 30 Jun 196050 Congolese CentimesWildlifeDesigned by Jean van NotenSG: CD 381 Colnect Link1960 - Congo DRC 50 Centimes - Galago Independence Overprint
The base stamp comes from the 1959 Belgian Congo “Wild Animals” series, where this value (50 centimes) depicts the Brown Greater Galago (Otolemur crassicaudatus)—a nocturnal primate native to Central Africa.This stamp has been overprinted “CONGO”, placing it in the chaotic period around 1960 independence, when the Belgian Congo became the Republic of the Congo (later DR Congo).The post mark reads Albertville and is dated 14 May 1961. Albertville (now Kalomie) was a major city in the State of Katanga that had seceded from Congo less than a month after its independence in June 1960. During May 1961, the city would have been the scene of conflict between pro Katanga and pro Congo forces - a period that lasted until August that year when UN forces captured the city and ousted the Katangan Army.
1966 - Congo DRC 6, 9 Franc - Soldier Feeding Child
First Issue: 08 Aug 19666, 9 Congolese FrancsArmy in Service of the Country SeriesPrinted by Enschede en Zonen, NetherlandsDesigned by Jean van Noten6F SG: CD 594 Colnect Link9F SG: CD 596 Colnect Link1966 - Congo DRC 6, 9 Franc - Soldier Feeding Child
These stamps were issued shortly after Joseph-Désiré Mobutu consolidated power in the Congo following years of post-independence instability and civil conflict. The “Army in Service of the Country” series was intended to reshape the image of the armed forces, presenting them as protectors and providers within the new state.The design shows a soldier feeding a child, an explicitly humanitarian image unusual for military-themed stamps of the period.
1965 - Congo DRC 7 Franc - Soldiers Building Bridge
First Issue: 17 Nov 19657 Congolese FrancsArmy in Service of the Country SeriesPrinted by Enschede en Zonen, NetherlandsDesigned by Jean van NotenSG: CD 595 Colnect Link1965 - Congo DRC 7 Franc - Soldiers Building Bridge
The design shows soldiers constructing a bridge, emphasizing labour and engineering. This was a deliberate visual message: the army is presented as physically reconnecting the country, both literally through infrastructure and symbolically through national unity. The clean geometric composition and limited colour palette give the stamp a modern, poster-like appearance typical of mid-1960s state imagery.
1965 - Congo DRC 19 Franc - Soldiers Maintaining Telegraph Lines
First Issue: 17 Nov 196519 Congolese FrancsArmy in Service of the Country SeriesPrinted by Enschede en Zonen, NetherlandsDesigned by Jean van NotenSG: CD 599 Colnect Link1965 - Congo DRC 19 Franc - Soldiers Maintaining Telegraph Lines
By 1965, following years of civil war, communications infrastructure had been severely disrupted. Restoring telegraph and power lines was essential for re-establishing state authority across the vast territory. The stamp therefore presents technical and engineering work as a patriotic military duty. The design depicts soldiers maintaining overhead communication lines, with one balancing on the wires while another climbs the pole below. The composition emphasises coordination, labour, and modern infrastructure. The simplified turquoise and brown colour scheme gives the stamp a strikingly modern graphic quality, almost resembling an industrial safety poster.
1966 - Congo DRC 24, 30 Franc - Soldier with National Flag
First Issue: 17 Nov 196524, 30 Congolese FrancsArmy in Service of the Country SeriesPrinted by Enschede en Zonen, NetherlandsDesigned by Jean van Noten24F SG: CD 601 Colnect Link30F SG: CD 602 Colnect Link1966 - Congo DRC 24, 30 Franc - Soldier with National Flag
This stamp is notably simpler and more symbolic than the other values in the series. Instead of depicting engineering or humanitarian activity, it presents a smiling soldier before the national flag, turning the focus toward loyalty and national identity. The bright blue, red, and yellow flag contrasts sharply with the otherwise restrained palette, making the national colours the visual centre of the composition. The flag shown is the Congolese flag introduced in 1963, used during the turbulent years before the country was renamed Zaire in 1971 under Mobutu’s authenticity campaign.
1966 - Congo DRC 12 Franc - African Sculpture
First Issue: 23 Apr 196612 Congolese FrancsDakar Festival of Black ArtsPrinted by Enschede en Zonen, NetherlandsDesigned by Oscar BonnevalleSG: CD 606 Colnect Link1966 - Congo DRC 12 Franc - African Sculpture
This stamp was issued for the First World Festival of Black Arts held in Dakar in 1966, a major international cultural event celebrating African and diasporic art, literature, music, and identity. Organised under the patronage of Senegalese president Léopold Sédar Senghor, the festival formed part of the wider Négritude movement, which sought to affirm Black cultural heritage and intellectual achievement in the post-colonial era.
1966 - Congo DRC 10 Franc - African Sculpture
First Issue: 23 Apr 196612 Congolese FrancsDakar Festival of Black ArtsPrinted by Enschede en Zonen, NetherlandsDesigned by Oscar BonnevalleSG: CD 605 Colnect Link1966 - Congo DRC 10 Franc - African Sculpture
1969 - Congo DRC - Coat of Arms Series
First Issue: 12 Jul 196910, 15, 30, 60, 90 Congolese SengiCoat of Arms SeriesPrinted by De la Rue & Co. Ltd. 10s SG: CD 680 Colnect Link15s SG: CD 681 Colnect Link30s SG: CD 682 Colnect Link60s SG: CD 683 Colnect Link90s SG: CD 684 Colnect Link1969 - Congo DRC - Coat of Arms Series
This definitive series reproduces the coat of arms of the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the Mobutu era, featuring a leopard’s head above crossed spear and ivory tusk, framed by a palm branch and the national motto “Justice, Paix, Travail” (“Justice, Peace, Work”). Issued in 1969, the series appeared during a period when Mobutu was consolidating central authority after years of instability that had followed independence in 1960. The leopard held particular political significance in Congo under Mobutu. It represented strength, authority, and vigilance, and would later become closely associated with Mobutu personally, especially through his trademark leopard-skin cap. The crossed spear and tusk combine martial and regional symbolism, while the motto presents an idealised vision of disciplined national development. An interesting aspect of the series is that it belongs to the brief transitional period before Mobutu’s “Authenticity” campaign fully transformed the country’s identity. Within two years, the Congo would be renamed Zaire, and many state symbols, names, and visual styles would change accordingly.
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