Mozambique - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Mozambique, a country in Southeastern Africa bordered by Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, South African, and the Indian Ocean has a total land area of 309,496 square miles and a population of around 22.9 million. Mozambique is among the poorest and under-developed countries of the world. However, it is considered to carry huge potential, given its rich and extensive natural resources. Efforts are underway for privatization in most government sectors. Massive international debt relief and investment in human capital are instrumental in alleviating poverty. The government has added value added tax in order to increase revenue.

Travel Resources: 

Mozambique's foreign policy based on harmony with neighbors and with development partners has worked in evoking positive reactions to the country. While tourism is not fully developed yet, it is still got its share of sights for the visitors. June through August are the coolest and hence the best time to visit. It is a prime water sport destination as it is conveniently located along the Indian Ocean. Its capital Maputo along with Inhambane, Vilanculos, Nampula and Pemba are the main destination for the visitors.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
Lonely Planet Mozambique Country Guide	978-1741048889	$18	A Travelers Introduction of 70 pages followed by sections on Maputo, Southern Mozambique, Central Mozambique, Northern Mozambique, along with 37 maps.
Mozambique Travel Map by Globetrotter	978-1847730480	$9	1:2,300,000 Scale.
Mozambique Grounded Adapter Plug Kit – GUB and GUE	B001FD84G8	$15

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Mozambique were a set of thirteen stamps released between 1877 and 1885 showing the Portuguese Crown in different colors. The set (Scott #1 to #14) catalogs for around $130 mint and $55 used. This was followed in 1886 by a set of nine stamps that were typographed and embossed showing King Luiz. The set (Scott #15 to #23) catalogs for around $30 mint and around $10 used. A variety with a different perforation (Scott #15a to #22a) was also released and that set is  even more valuable and catalogs for around $80 mint and around half that for used. This was followed by the release of another set of twelve stamps showing King Carlos I. The set (Scott #24 to #35) catalogs for around $35 mint and around half that for used.

Surcharge overprints along with several ‘Mocambique’ overprints along with some common design types were the primary stamp issues of Mozambique during the period till 1914. Mozambique released a long running set forty three stamps in the Ceres theme during the period from 1914 to 1926. The set (Scott #149 to #191) is sought after and catalogs for around $90 mint and around $45 used.

Other issues of Mozambique enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A set of four stamps released on July 17, 1939 showing the Map of Africa in different colors. The set (Scott #289 to #292) is sought after and catalogs for around $40 mint and around $60 used.
2. A long set of twenty stamps released between 1948 and 1949 showing Local Scenes. The set (Scott #305 to #324) catalogs for around $30 mint and around $8 used. The designs show Gogogo Peak, Zambezi River Bridge, Zumbo River, Waterfall at Nhanhangare, Lourenco Marques, Plantation Baixa, Pungwe River at Beira, Lourenco Marques, Polana Beach, and Malema River.
3. A long set of nineteen stamps released on June 25, 1975 to mark Independence. The set (Scott #516 to #530) catalogs for around $14 MNH and around half that for used. They were ‘Independence 25 JUN 75’ overprints on previous regular and common design types of Mozambique. Mozambique was a Portuguese colony and gained independence on June 25, 1975.
4. A set of six stamps released on September 25, 1984 showing Traditional Weapons. The set (Scott #926 to #931) catalogs for around $13 MNH and around $2 for used. The designs show knife, cudgel, axes, shield, Assagai, bow and arrow, muzzleloader, and Assagai, arrow. It was released to mark the twentieth anniversary of the National Revolution.
5. A set of ten stamps released in 1998 showing Dwellings. The set (Scott #1324 to #1333) catalogs for around $50 MNH or used. Although a poor country, Mozambican economy has been among the fastest growing in the world with average GDP growth exceeding 8% since 1990. 

Numismatic Profile:

The first issues of Mozambique were Portuguese Colonial Coinage Copper Reals issued around 1820. Prior to this, foreign coins were in use and in the late 19th century, countermarked coinage (crowned PM within a circle) was introduced on silver coins. In the modern era, Portuguese Colonial Decimal Coinage (100 Centavos = 1 Escudo) Bronze Centavos were issued in 1936 showing Value in Obverse and Arms and Date in Reverse. The issues had mintage into the millions cataloging upwards of $50 for UNC. Reform Coinage (100 Centavos = 1 Metical) was introduced in 1980 with the release of Aluminum Centavos. The first issues are common and catalogs for around a dollar for UNC. Commemorative Gold Proofs were first issued in 1983 with the introduction of a 0.6366 troy ounce gold coin showing Emblem above value and date in Obverse and Traditional fishing raft in Reverse. Gold Proofs have very low mintage and catalog well above bullion value. Meticals underwent severe inflation and were redenominated in 2006 at 1000:1.

Numismatic items of Mozambique include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$1 and up	Common UNCs start around $1. Bi-Metal High Values from the 2000s in UNC, Silver Coins from the 1950s in VF, etc start around $20. Commemorative Silver Proofs from the 1980s onwards starts around $40. Commemorative Independence Silver Proofs, 1983 Fisheries Piefort Silver Coins, etc go into the 100s.
Paper Money	$1 and up	Common UNC banknotes start around $1. High Value Notes in UNC starts around $10. Bundles, Large Notes in UNC, etc start around $30. Rare Specimens, Rare Dates, etc go into the 100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Resource	Price Range	Description
Gemstones	$10 and up	Mozambique Garnets, Pink Rubies etc start around $10. Unheated Red Rubies over 3ct go well into the 20s. Sizes over 15ct go well into the 100s. Unheated Magenta Red Rubies over 5ct go into the 1000s.
Antiques	$5 and up	19th century maps start around $5. Makonde Sticks, Helmet Masks etc start around $50. Makonde Figurines, Shields, and certain masks go well into the 100s and 1000s.
Art	$10 and up	Slave Posters, and local scenes prints start around $10. Political Cuban posters start around $50 and go well into the 100s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.