Coins of Sierra Leone

[BC Numismatics]

You will all be very pleased to know that I finally picked up a Sierra Leonean coin that is denominated higher than 1 Leone - a well circulated example of the 1996 100 Leones.It is a spacefiller.

It is a change from seeing the 1964 1/2c. & 1c. coins,which always turn up.

The coins dated from 1972 onwards are extremely difficult to find,especially the circulation coins dated from 1996 onwards,which still elude me.I'd be very interested in getting them,including both the 50 & 500 Leones,which are very unusual in their own right.

Aidan.

[Galapagos]

You can read about them on Paul Baker's web site:

http://www.wbcc.fsnet.co.uk/af-sie.htm

The coins were designed by English numismatic artist and jewellery designer, Avril Vaughan.

Her late husband, John Lobban, better known as the illustrator of "Paddington Bear", designed both the UK collector two pound coins of 1989.

[BC Numismatics]

It seems very strange that Avril Vaughan designed the current Sierra Leonean circulation coins,yet they were struck at the Royal Dutch Mint in Utrecht instead of at the Royal Mint in Llantrisant.

Sierra Leone has traditionally had its circulation coins struck at the Royal Mint,given Sierra Leone's very strong ties with Great Britain as a British Commonwealth country.

Aidan.

 

[Galapagos]

As always, the Royal Mint faces competition. Whereas formerly, for instance, the coins of the Bahamas and of Ghana were designed and produced by the Royal Mint, latterly the Royal Canadian Mint has taken over both functions.