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PRE-UDI COLONIAL COINAGE In 1964, a series of Coin s was struck for Rhodesia at the South African Mint in Pretoria . They consisted of a Sixpence (bearing a Flame Lily design on the reverse), a Shilling (bearing the Rhodesian shield on the reverse), a Florin (two shillings) (bearing the Zimbabwe Bird on the reverse), and a Half Crown (bearing a Sable Antelope on the reverse). These coins are interesting in two respects. First, Rhodesia was the first of two countries to utilise Arnold Machin 's portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on pre-decimal coinage (the other country was The Gambia ). Secondly, the coins were dual-denominated. This was not only to familiarise the public with the decimal system, but also to allow the coins to remain legal tender after the forthcoming change over to decimal currency. UDI-PERIOD PRE-DECIMAL COINAGE On November 11 , 1965 , Rhodesia was declared by Prime Minister Ian Smith to be an independent Dominion. This led to sanctions being imposed by both the British Commonwealth and the United Nations , as the Unilateral Declaration Of Independence (UDI) was not recognized as legitimate. In 1966 , the 'rebel' Rhodesian Government decided to issue a set of gold coins to commemorate the first anniversary of the UDI. These consisted of three denominations: - ten shillings (bearing a sable antelope on the reverse) (click for obverse image) (click for reverse image) ; - one pound - 5000 minted (bearing the " Lion and Tusk " armorial crest of Rhodesia on the reverse) (click for obverse image) (click for reverse image) ; and - five pounds - 3000 minted (bearing the arms of Rhodesia on the reverse) (click for obverse image) (click for reverse image) ; all of which were identical in weight, size and gold content to the British Sovereign , half-sovereign and five pound coin. These coins were issued singly and in a set of three, in cases inscribed ''RESERVE BANK OF RHODESIA''. These coins, like the 1964 issue, were struck at Pretoria. In 1968 , the Rhodesian threepence (or ''tickey'') was issued. This was not dual-denominated. DECIMAL COINAGE (click for obverse image) (click for reverse image) In late instead of Queen Elizabeth II 's portrait, reflecting the constitutional change. The 1964 coinage issue remained in circulation. The sixpence became five cents, the shilling became ten cents, the florin became twenty cents, and the half-crown became 25 cents. In 1973 , a new Cupronickel five cent coin was issued. This coin had the Rhodesian coat of arms alone on the obverse, to which the legend ''RHODESIA'' was added for the 1975–77 strikings. In 1975 a new ten cent and 25 cent piece appeared; it was struck in this year only. A new twenty cent coin was struck in 1975 and again in 1977. The last Rhodesian coins were struck in 1977. The 1977 half-cent coin is extremely rare with 10 pieces known. Following independence under majority rule in 1980 as Zimbabwe , the Rhodesian Dollar was withdrawn in late 1980 and replaced by the Zimbabwean Dollar . |
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