Comments on "Coinage of the Gambia"

[Pabitra]

There may be a bit of choice with the alloy mix for Copper-Nickel, but that is unlikely to make a real difference to the density. Therefore the new coins just needed to be a bit thinner in order to be a bit lighter. Only a bit thinner though (approx. 10 percent) and so the mint was likely able to sort this out relatively easily.

Thanks Mr Paul Baker

When inflation comes, circulation coins tend to be priced out in minting. Mint then adopts various methods to reduce the costs. Eliminating Reeded edge, going for plated steel are standard options. Reducing the thickness is a very popular method. In 2023, Turkiye has adopted this method for top three of its circulation coins although during my visit to Istambul last month, I did not come across even a single circulation coin in the entire week of my stay.

[Big_M]

I see. Numista gives the thickness of the 1971 50 bututs coins as 2.4 mm.

It doesn't give one for the 1998 coin.

Given the same alloy this can be easily calculated. The data on the 1998 coins from Numista and Schon are correct, see the official specification from the 1998 set.

[Big_M]

Gambia 1998 coin set specifications: