Guinea 1971 5 sylis

from the Mountain Groan Collection

The coinage of the West African nation of Guinea is sporadic and scanty. Originally a French colony using coinage of French West Africa, Guinea obtained her independence in 1958 in the general rush to decolonization. The original franc-based coinage was mostly commemoratives made and marketed outside the country. In 1971, the franc was retired and the sylis introduced (100 cauris (cowries) = 1 syli). This aluminum five sylis features a local tribesman. Guinea returned to the franc in 1985.

Recorded mintage: unknown but not common.

Specification: aluminum.

Catalog reference: KM 45.

Source:

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

Link to:

• French West Africa 1956 10 francs
• Guinea-Bissau 1977 50 centavos
• Guinea 1977 500 sylis KM-46
• Coins and currency dated 1971
• return to coins of Guinea