Nigeria: decimal coinage

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Map of Nigeria.

From Wikipedia:

The Federal Republic of Nigeria became independent from Britain in 1960. Its constitution defines it as a democratic secular state. With 206 million inhabitants, Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world.

Nigeria is inhabited by over 250 ethnic groups, of which the three largest are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. These ethnic groups speak over 500 distinct languages. The official language of Nigeria is English, chosen to facilitate linguistic unity at the national level. Nigeria is divided roughly in half between Christians, who live mostly in the southern part of the country, and Muslims, who live mostly in the north.

Nigeria is considered to be an emerging market by the World Bank. It has been identified as a regional power on the African continent, a middle power in international affairs, and an emerging global power. However, its Human Development Index ranks 158th in the world. Nigeria is a founding member of the African Union and a member of many other international organizations, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations and OPEC.

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Coat of arms of Nigeria.

From Wikipedia:

The coat of arms of Nigeria consists of a black shield with a wavy white pall, symbolizing the meeting of the Niger and Benue Rivers at Lokoja. The black shield represents Nigeria's fertile soil, while the two supporting horses on each side represent dignity. The eagle represents strength, while the green and white bands on the top of the shield represent the rich soil.

The red flowers at the base are Costus spectabilis, Nigeria's national flower. This flower was chosen for inclusion in the coat of arms as it is found all over Nigeria and also stand for the beauty of the nation. On the banderole around the base is Nigeria's national motto since 1978: "Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress" (formerly "Peace, Unity, Freedom").

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Flag of Nigeria.

From Wikipedia:

The flag of Nigeria was designed in 1959 and first officially hoisted on 1 October 1960. The flag has three vertical bands of green, white, green. The two green stripes represent Nigeria's natural wealth, while the white band represents peace.

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INTRODUCTION OF THE NAIRA

From Wikipedia:

The naira was introduced on 1 January 1973, replacing the pound at a rate of 2 naira = 1 pound. This made Nigeria the last former British colony to abandon the £sd currency system in favour of the decimal currency system. In 1973, coins were introduced in denominations of ½, 1, 5, 10 and 25 kobo, with the ½ and 1 kobo in bronze and the higher denominations in cupro-nickel. The ½ kobo coins were minted only that year.

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Obverse of the 1 kobo coin.

The coins were produced by the Royal Mint (UK).

They were designed by Englishman Geoffrey Colley.

The obverse of the coins featured the national coat of arms.

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Reverse of the half kobo coin.

The half kobo coin was made of bronze.

It weighed 3.5 grams and had a diameter of 21.5 mm.

The reverse of the ½ kobo coin featured cotton plants.

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Reverse of the 1 kobo coin.

The 1 kobo coin was made of bronze.

It weighed 5.8 grams and had a diameter of 25 mm.


The reverse of the 1 kobo coin featured oil derricks.

Nigeria is rich in oil.

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Reverse of the 5 kobo coin.

The 5 kobo coin was made of copper-nickel.

It weighed 2.8 grams and had a diameter of 20 mm.

The reverse of the 5 kobo coin featured cocoa beans.

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Reverse of the 10 kobo coin.

The 10 kobo coin was made of copper-nickel.

It weighed 4 grams and had a diameter of 22.9 mm.

The reverse of the 10 kobo coin featured palm trees.

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Reverse of the 25 kobo coin.

The 25 kobo coin was made of copper-nickel.

It weighed 10 grams and had a diameter of 26.9 mm.

The reverse of the 25 kobo coin featured peanuts and stacked bags of peanuts.

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The obverse of the 25 kobo coin.

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CHANGES TO THE NATIONAL MOTTO ON THE COINS IN THE 1980s




The short national motto on a 10 kobo coin of 1973.




The longer national motto on a 1 naira coin of 1991.


See:  Nigerian coins: motto.

On Nigeria's first decimal coins, the motto on the coat of arms was:

UNITY AND FAITH

In the 1980s, a longer motto was shown on the coins:

UNITY AND FAITH  PEACE AND PROGRESS

The long motto first appeared on the 1, 5 and 10 kobo coins in 1987.

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MAJOR CHANGES TO THE COINAGE IN 1991

The diameter of the 1 kobo coin was reduced from 25 mm to 17 mm.
Its metal content was changed from bronze to copper-plated steel. After 1989 the 5 kobo coin was no longer minted.The diameter of the 10 kobo coin was reduced from 22.9 mm to 19.5 mm.
Its metal content was changed from bronze to copper-plated steel.
Additionally, it became 12-sided instead of round.
The diameter of the 25 kobo coin was reduced from 27 mm to 22.5 mm.
Its metal content was changed from copper-nickel to copper-plated steel.
The new denominations of 50 kobo and 1 naira were added to the coinage.

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Obverse of the 10 kobo coin of 1991.

The 10 kobo coin of 1991 was 12-sided.

It was made of copper-plated steel.

It weighed 3.5 grams and had a diameter of 19.5 mm.

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Reverse of the 10 kobo coin of 1991.