Botswana 1978 10 pula
This specimen was part of lot 30255 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), which for $2,520. The catalog description[1] noted, "Botswana, Republic 3-Piece gold & silver "Conservation" Proof Set 1978, 1) silver "Gemsbok" 5 Pula - Proof; 2) silver "Klipspringer" 10 Pula - Proof; 3) gold "Wild Hyena" 150 Pula - PR69 Ultra Cameo NGC; The silver uncertified yet appearing as brilliant Proofs with flawless cameo contrasts, the gold 150 Pula approaching technical perfection." 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. This issue is one of a series featuring Botswana wildlife. The uncirculated issue was struck in billon (KM 12) and the proofs struck in sterling silver (KM 12a).
Recorded mintage: 4,088 + 3,989 proofs.
Specification: 35 g, 0.500 fine silver. Proofs were struck in 0.925 fine silver.
Catalog reference: KM 12 (billon), KM 12a (proof).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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