Trinidad and Tobago 1974-FM 5 cents

formerly in the Mountain Groan collection

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago, originally invaded and occupied by the Spanish, were wrested from Spanish control by the British in 1797. The two islands were merged as a single entity in 1888. It remained a colony of Great Britain until achieving independence in 1976. The coinage from the early 1970's leading up to independence retained similar designs after 1976. The coin shown is a bronze five cents issued before the proclamation of a republic. It is a product of the Franklin mint, struck 1974-76. The type continued 1976-2010 as KM 30. The SCWC labels the bird on the reverse as a bird of paradise, a species native to New Guinea.

Recorded mintage: 28,000 + 14,000 proofs.

Specification: 3.25 g, bronze, 21.15 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 26.

Source:

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

Link to:

• 1969 dollar F.A.O.
• 1974-FM cent
• 1974-FM 10 cents
• 1974-FM 50 cents
• 1974-FM 5 dollars
• 1974-FM 10 dollars
• 1975 5 cents
• 1976 25 cents
• 1976 100 dollars
• 1980 10 cents
• Coins and currency dated 1974
• return to coins of Trinidad and Tobago