Botswana, first coinage: adopted and unadopted designs

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Botswana's first coinage.

The coin sizes in this image are not to scale.

Botswana, formerly known as Bechuanaland, became independent from the British in 1966.

Like many other African countries, it chose its national wildlife as the theme for its first national coinage, issued in 1976.

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The coins were issued by the Royal Mint (UK), and the designs were the work of English artist and sculptor, Michael Hibbit.

Below you see some of the initial sketches he made for the coinage.

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5 thebe.   Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.

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10 thebe.   Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.

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25 thebe.   Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.

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25 thebe.   Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.

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25 thebe.   Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.

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25 thebe.   Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.

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25 thebe.   Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.

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1 pula.  Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.

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1 pula.  Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.

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In 1976 Botswana also issued commemorative 5 and 150 pula collector coins.

They commemorated the tenth anniversary of independence.


The reverse of the 5 pula coin was also the work of Michael Hibbit.

It depicted the National Assembly Building.

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Here you see Michael Hibbit's sketch of the 5 pula design.

Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.

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Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.


Mr Hibbit produced other possible designs for the 5 pula coin.

Above you see a map of Botswana.

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Image courtesy of the Royal Mint Museum.


Alternative design for the 5 pula coin, again by Michael Hibbit.