Coinage of Zambia

[<k>]

Map of Zambia.



Map of South-Central Africa.

The Republic of Zambia, whose capital is Lusaka, has a population of almost 17 million. Zambia became independent from Britain in October 1964. Previously, as Northern Rhodesia, it had been a member of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (also known as the Central African Federation), along with Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and Nyasaland (now Malawi).

Originally inhabited by Khoisan peoples, the region was affected by the Bantu expansion of the thirteenth century. After visits by European explorers in the eighteenth century, the region became the British protectorates of Barotziland-North-Western Rhodesia and North-Eastern Rhodesia towards the end of the nineteenth century. These were merged in 1911 to form Northern Rhodesia. For most of the colonial period, Zambia was governed by an administration appointed from London with the advice of the British South Africa Company.

On 24 October 1964, Zambia became independent of the United Kingdom and prime minister Kenneth Kaunda became the inaugural president. Kaunda's socialist United National Independence Party (UNIP) maintained power from 1964 until 1991. From 1972 to 1991 Zambia was a one-party state, with the UNIP as the sole legal political party under the motto "One Zambia, One Nation". Kaunda was succeeded by Frederick Chiluba of the social-democratic Movement for Multi-Party Democracy in 1991, beginning a period of social-economic growth and government decentralisation.

In 2010, the World Bank named Zambia one of the world's fastest economically reformed countries. The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) is headquartered in Lusaka.

[<k>]

From Wikipedia:

The coat of arms of Zambia was adopted on 24 October 1964, when the Republic of Zambia achieved its independence. This coat of arms is adapted from the arms of the Colony of Northern Rhodesia which dates to 1927. The African fish eagle represents the conquest of freedom and nation's hope for the future. The pick and hoe represent the country's economic backbone: agriculture and mining, as well as the characteristics that have influenced Zambia's evolution and nature. The shield is a representation of Victoria Falls with white water cascading over black rock. The Victoria Falls represents the Zambezi river, from which Zambia takes its name.

The coat of arms also has emblems of Zambia's natural resources: minerals and mining, agriculture and wildlife. The shield is supported by two figures which represent the common man and woman of the nation. The country's motto is "One Zambia, One Nation", which emphasises the need for unity in a country of over 60 ethnic groups. The wavy black and white vertical lines also were present in the shield of the coat of arms of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1954-1963).

[<k>]

From Wikipedia:

The flag of Zambia was adopted upon independence on 24 October 1964. It is green, with an orange-coloured African fish eagle in flight over a rectangular block of three vertical stripes, which are coloured, from left to right: red, black and orange. Green stands for the nation's lush flora, red for the nation's struggle for freedom, black for the Zambian people, and orange for the land's natural resources and mineral wealth. Additionally, the eagle flying above the coloured stripes is intended to represent the people's ability to rise above the nation's problems.

[<k>]

THE ZAMBIAN POUND

From Wikipedia:

The Zambian pound was the currency in Zambia from independence in 1964 until decimalization on January 16, 1968. It was subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. The Zambian pound replaced the Rhodesia and Nyasaland pound at par. It was pegged to the pound sterling at par. In 1964, copper-nickel 6 pence, 1 and 2 shilling coins were introduced.

[<k>]

THE FIRST COINAGE OF ZAMBIA

The common obverse of the new coinage showed the eagle and shield from the coat of arms.

[<k>]

Surprisingly, the lowest denomination of the new coinage was the sixpence.

The reverse design depicted a morning glory flower, Zambia's national flower.

English artist Norman Sillman produced the obverse and reverse designs for the Royal Mint.

[<k>]

The morning glory flower.

[<k>]

The reverse design of the shilling featured a trumpeter hornbill (Bycanistes bucinator).

[<k>]

The trumpeter hornbill.

[<k>]

The 2 shillings coin was the highest denomination of the coinage.

The reverse design featured a bohor reedbuck (Redunca redunca), which is a species of antelope.

[<k>]

The bohor reedbuck.

[<k>]

Zambia released a collector five shillings coin in 1965.

It commemorated the first anniversary of independence.

Norman Sillman created the portrait of Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia's president from 1964 to 1991).

He also modelled the country's coat of arms with supporters.

[<k>]

A portrait of President Kaunda replaced the coat of arms on the circulation coinage from 1966 onward.

[<k>]

To complete the set, Zambia issued a bronze penny in 1966.

It was 27mm in diameter and had a hole in the centre.

A farthing or halfpenny was never issued.

[<k>]

Neighbouring Malawi issued a penny in 1967.

The two coins look rather similar.

Both were made at the Royal Mint (UK) and were 27mm in diameter.