Southern Rhodesia 1951 penny

from the Mountain Groan Collection

Rhodesia, named after diamond magnate Cecil Rhodes, was created a self-governing colony of Britain in 1923. Coinage commenced in 1932. The penny was introduced in 1934 and struck intermittently until 1954. This type is known for 1949-52 and is common. The hole served two purposes: one, to prevent confusion with a higher denomination coin; two, to prevent natives from drilling their own holes when stringing them on necklaces.

Recorded mintage: 4,896,000 plus proofs.

Specification: bronze, 27 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 25.

Source:

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

Link to:

• 1949 penny
• 1951 half penny
• 1951 threepence
• 1951 sixpence
• 1952 half penny
• 1952 penny
• Rhodesia and Nyasaland 1957 penny
• Coins and currency dated 1951
• return to coins of Southern Rhodesia