Kenya and Sierra Leone: alternative designs

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Michael Rizzello created the circulation designs for Sierra Leone in 1964. This was early in his Royal Mint career, and the designs are not, in my opinion, a great success. However, only two years later he went to create the superb reverse designs of Gambia's circulation set of 1966, and he modified these designs in the 1970s when Gambia went decimal. He also created attractive circulation designs for Bermuda, Swaziland, and the Congo Democratic Republic - later known as Zaire.
See also:  Michael Rizzello, Coin Designer.

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Here is Mr Rizzello's alternative design for the 5 cents.

It shows oil palm leaves and fruit.


These images are from the Royal Mint documents at the National Archives, London.

The actual photo of his design is itself very small, unfortunately.




Here is the actual issued design.

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Here are three of his alternative 10 cent designs.




Here is the actual issued 10 cents design.

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These coins of Sierra Leone from 1964 are mostly rather small, of a size that does not lend itself to bold designs. However, the design of the musical instrument does appeal to me. Unfortunately, three other designs, one of them identified as a fishing canoe in the documents, have been lost.

To see some of Michael Rizzello's later and more mature work, which is of an altogether higher quality, click on the link below:

Michael Rizzello, Coin Designer

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The English artist and engraver Norman Sillman designed and modelled these portraits of Jomo Kenyatta.

They were intended  for Kenya's first circulation coinage after independence.


Here are some photos of his initial sketches.

They are very old now, so the image quality is rather poor.


He eventually portrayed Kenyatta facing in the opposite direction.

Just in case you thought I'd posted the images the wrong way round.

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Mr Sillman's finished portrait was used on Kenya's coinage through the 1960s and 1970s.

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To see more of Norman Sillman's work, click on the link below:

Norman Sillman: Coin Designer