Coinage of Tanzania

[<k>]

In 1971 Tanzania issued its first 5 shilingi coin.

It was decagonal (10-sided) and made of copper-nickel.

It weighed 13.6 g and had a diameter of 31.5 mm.


It was a circulating commemorative coin.

The obverse commemorated ten years of independence as Tanganyika and then Tanzania.

Sprigs of maize flank the presidential portrait.

[<k>]

The reverse of the coin carried a FAO-themed design.

F.A.O. = Food and Agricultural Organization (of the United Nations).

Millet appears on the left and maize on the right, with bananas at top and a cow at bottom.

The design was once more the work of Christopher Ironside.

[<k>]

In 1972 the 5 shilingi became a regular circulation coin.

The years "1961 - 1971" were replaced on the obverse by just the year at the time of minting.

The reverse design remained the same.

[<k>]

In 1976 a one-year circulating commemorative 5 shilingi coin was issued.

It commemorated the tenth anniversary of the Bank of Tanzania.

The bank design was by English artist and sculptor Geoffrey Colley.




There are stylised sprigs at the bottom of the obverse.

I believe that they represent sisal (Agave sisalana).

[<k>]

In 1977 a 10 senti coin was issued at last.

It was made of nickel-brass and was scalloped (with 10 notches).

It weighed 5 g and had a diameter of 25 mm.

[<k>]

The reverse design featured a zebra.

It was once more created and modelled by Christopher Ironside.

[<k>]

See also:

Mystery FAO Coin Design Quiz

Tanzania: unrealised designs

[<k>]

In 1981 Tanzania issued a one-year circulating commemorative 20 shilingi coin.

It commemorated the twentieth anniversary of independence.


The obverse was designed and modelled by English artist and sculptor Philip Nathan.

It featured an older President Nyerere.

[<k>]

The reverse was also designed and modelled by Philip Nathan.

[<k>]

In 1981 Tanzania issued a one-year circulating commemorative 25 shilingi coin.

Curiously, it commemorated the 24th anniversary of independence.


The obverse design was the same as the one on the 20 shilingi coin of 1981.

The reverse design was similar but not the same. See below.


This copper-nickel coin weighed 28.28 g and had a diameter of 38.61 mm.

The similar 20 shilingi copper-nickel coin of 1981 weighed 16 g and had a diameter of 34.5 mm.

[<k>]

In 1986 Tanzania issued a one-year circulating commemorative 20 shilingi coin.

It commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Central Bank.

This copper-nickel coin weighed 28.28 g and had a diameter of 38.61 mm.


The obverse portrayed President Ali Hassan Mwinyi.

He served as the second President of the United Republic of Tanzania from 1985 to 1995.

This portrait was designed by English artist and sculptor Michael Rizzello.

[<k>]

The reverse of the coin featured the emblem of the Bank of Tanzania.

[<k>]

In 1987 Tanzania issued a regular 10 shilingi circulation coin.

This copper-nickel coin weighed 9.7 g and had a diameter of 29 mm.


The obverse featured the now familiar portrait of the retired former president.

The reverse featured the national coat of arms.


The coin was issued in 1987, 1988 and 1989.

A nickel-clad steel version of the coin was issued from 1990 through to 1993.

The new version weighed 10 g but still had a diameter of 29 mm.

[<k>]

In 1987 Tanzania issued a new smaller version of the 1 shilingi coin.

It was minted through to 1992.

The portrait of the new president now appeared on the obverse of the new coin.

The reverse design remained unchanged.


The new coin was made of nickel-plated steel instead of copper-nickel.

It weighed 6.5 g and had a diameter of 23.5 mm.

The older version had weighed 8 g, with a diameter of 27.74 mm.

[<k>]

In 1987 Tanzania issued a new smaller version of the 5 shilingi coin.

It was minted through to 1989. 

The portrait of the new president now appeared on the obverse of the new coin.

The reverse design remained unchanged.


The new coin was still made of copper-nickel but weighed only 8.3 g, with a diameter of 27.53 mm.

The older version had weighed 13.8 g, with a diameter of 31.5 mm.


A similar nickel-plated version of the new coin was minted from 1990 through to 1993.