Zambia

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Zambia went decimal on January 16th 1968. The kwacha replaced the pound, at a rate of 2 kwacha = 1 pound or 1 kwacha = 10 shillings, and was divided into 100 ngwee. The name "kwacha" derives from the Nyanja word for "dawn", alluding to the Zambian nationalist slogan of a "new dawn of freedom". The name ngwee translates as "bright" in the Nyanja language.The common obverse of the coins showed President Kaunda, as usual.

A new coinage was produced. The three predecimal designs were transferred to new denominations, whilst the 1 ngwee coin featured an aardvark, and the 2 ngwee coin depicted a martial eagle. All the designs were once again the work of Norman Sillman.


See also: The pound: predecimal to decimal design continuity.

 

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Here is a closer look at Norman Sillman's ardvark design on the reverse of the 1 ngwee coin.

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Here is a closer look at Norman Sillman's martial eagle design on the reverse of the 2 ngwee coin.

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A closer look at the reverse of the 5 ngwee coin.

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A closer look at the reverse of the 10 ngwee coin.

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A closer look at the reverse of the 20 ngwee coin.

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Here is Norman Sillman's initial sketch for the 1 ngwee, featuring an aardvark.

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Here is Norman Sillman's initial sketch for the 2 ngwee, featuring a martial eagle.

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Zambia issued its first 50 ngwee coin in 1969 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of its independence.

The reverse of the coin shows a FAO-themed design, depicting an ear of maize. Maize also appears on Zambia coat of arms. The design was again by Norman Sillman. FAO stands for "Food and Agricultural Organisation".

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Another of Norman Sillman's sketches, produced in 1969, showing a FAO-themed design that was never released.

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In the 1980s Zambia issued two interesting commemorative 20 ngwee coins.

Above you can see the 1981 version, which commemorates World Food Day.

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Zambia, 20 ngwee, 1985.  Twentieth anniversary of the central bank. 


Apparently this little piece is quite scarce.

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Zambia issued a 1 kwacha circulation coin in 1989. The design, by Robert Elderton, featured two African fish eagles. The coin was a one year type.

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Interestingly, some Royal Mint sketches show earlier attempts to create a design for a circulating kwacha coin:

See: Zambia: Kwacha sketches of 1983.

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In 1992 a new and smaller coinage was introduced consisting of nickel-plated-steel 25 and 50 ngwee and brass 1, 5 and 10 kwacha. The higher denominations reflect increasing inflation in Zambia. The Royal Canadian Mint produced the new set, which included some beautiful new wildlife designs. However, the hornbill design from the old 10 ngwee was retained for the new 25 ngwee, which was the lowest denomination of the new set.

The coins were issued for only one year and then discontinued as the economic crisis dragged on.