Ghana 1991 20 cedis

from the Mountain Groan Collection

This specimen was issued by Ghana in 1991 and 1995. Ghana was a former British colony and was the first sub-Saharan nation (besides Ethiopia) to achieve independence, which occurred in 1957. Coinage 1966 and later is in pesawas and cedis (100 pesawas = 1 cedi). Cedi means 'cowrie shell', as those shells functioned as money previously. Cowrie shells, cacao pods (a main export of Ghana), and talking drums adorn many of the coins post-1958. The cedi was introduced in 1965, reformed in 1967 (1 new cedi = 1.2 old cedis) and again in 2007 (1 new cedi = 10,000 old cedis). In 1991, US$1 = 345-390 cedis.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: nickel-clad steel.

Catalog reference: KM 30.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• 1984 1 cedi
• 1984 5 cedis
• 1991 10 cedis
• 1991 50 cedis
• 1991 100 cedis
• Coins and currency dated 1991