Gambian pound
The Gambian pound was the currency of the Gambia between 1965 and 1971. Gambia used the British West African pound until it issued its own currency on October 5, 1964. In 1971, the dalasi replaced the pound at a rate of 1 pound = 5 dalasi, i.e., 1 dalasi = 4 shillings.
Coins
Coins were introduced in 1966 in denominations of 1, 3 and 6 pence, 1, 2 and 4 shillings, with 8 shillings added in 1970. All coins had Queen Elizabeth II's portrait on the obverse.
Value | Date | Composition | Reverse |
---|---|---|---|
1 penny | 1966 | Bronze | Native sailing boat |
3 pence | 1966 | Aluminium bronze | Double-spurred francolin |
6 pence | 1966 | Cupronickel | Three peanuts |
1 shilling | 1966 | Cupronickel | Oil palm |
2 shillings | 1966 | Cupronickel | African domestic ox |
4 shillings | 1966 | Cupronickel | Slender-snouted crocodile |
8 shillings | 1970 | Cupronickel | Hippopotamus |
The 8 shilling coin of Gambia is the only example of this denomination ever minted. With the exception of the Hippopotamus, the reverse designs of the pre-decimal coins were reused on Gambia's decimal coins.
Banknotes
On October 5, 1964, banknotes were introduced by the Gambia Currency Board in denominations of 10 shillings, 1 and 5 pounds. All notes had a sailing boat with a forest background on the obverse and were produced until 1970.
Value | Colour | Reverse |
---|---|---|
10 shillings | Green | Natives tending their crops |
1 pound | Red | Labourers working at a wharf |
5 pounds | Blue | People using hand powered machinery |
See also
References
- Krause, Chester L., and Clifford Mishler (1991). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1801–1991 (18th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0873411501.
- Pick, Albert (1994). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues. Colin R. Bruce II and Neil Shafer (editors) (7th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-207-9.