Macao (Portug.Colony) 50 Avos 1973 UN/BU (Mint)

Exceptional high grade copper-nickel coin struck within 1972 and 1973. Macao, a former overseas province of Portugal (until 1999). Before that date all coins were made at Pobjoy (England) and/or Singapore Mint. Established by the Portuguese in 1557. Macao is the oldest European settlement in the Far East. The Chinese, while agreeing to Portuguese settlement, did not recognize Portuguese sovereign rights and the Portuguese remained largely under the control of the Chinese until 1849, when the Portuguese abolished the Chinese customhouse and declared the independence of the port. The Manchu government formally recognized the Portuguese right to perpetual occupation of Macao in 1887. In 1987, Portugal and China agree that Macao would become a Chinese Territory in 1999. In December of 1999, Macao became a special administrative zone of China.