Botswana 1976 5 thebe
The republic of Botswana, landlocked in Southern Africa, was the protectorate of Bechuanaland prior to independence from Great Britain in 1966. Lacking minerals valuable on the world market, Botswana has escaped the violence afflicting its neighbors Angola, Zimbabwe and South Africa. It, unfortunately, has not escaped the ravages of AIDS. Coin denominations are thebe and pula. Pula translates as the word 'rain', a scarce commodity in this arid region.
Shown is a bronze five thebe. The reverse features a toko bird. This specimen was removed from an F.A.O. set tho the coin makes no reference to the organization or its aim of agricultural development.
Recorded mintage: 3,000,000 plus 26,000 proofs.
Specification: 2.66 g, bronze, 19.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 4.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
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