r/coins_of_conquest

Pretty cool coin I picked up this week. It is from the period of Italian occupation of Albania.

One Rupee from Alwar State included

Inspired by an earlier post, I went to eBay to get me one of these:

1/10 of a penny from British West Africa

I usually use coins to discover some new historical/cultural knowledge, and I was not at all familiar with this territory. "British West Africa" referred to multiple British colonial settlements including Sierra Leone, Ghana, Gambia, and Nigeria, and, according to Wikipedia, "British West Africa was originally founded at the urging of the prominent abolitionist Fowell Burton, who felt that ending the Atlantic slave trade required some level of British control of the coastline."

So you could consider this coin to be an artifact of the abolition movement, which makes it that much more interesting.

This tenth of a cent is a 1/2,400th of a pound. For comparison's sake, another source said per capita income in the time was between 10 and 15 British pounds.

As I promised to f1nlaygk , some my old text about colonial coins.
Disclaimer: English isnt my native language. Its google translated with a lot of mistakes.

Today, using the new African aluminum, I wanted to discuss two topics. But on second thought, I decided that two topics at a time was too much, even for a Monday.
So, the "continuation" of the Friday theme. About three out of four people, when they see an image of British West African coins, ask about Jews and their connection to these coins. Because of course, the Star of David is definitely Israel!
No, it didn't smell like Israel here (at least look at the year of release). And, importantly, Jews have nothing to do with it at all. The fact is that the Seal of Solomon, and this is exactly it, was a very popular symbol, suddenly, among Muslims. For example, in the 19th century, on the coins of the Sultanate(!) Morocco, there is this symbol. Again, suddenly, there are enough Muslims in Nigeria.
The official version of the appearance of this symbol as the emblem of Nigeria at that time, from the then Governor-General of the colony, Frederick Lugard:
"I think the pattern of intertwined triangles is usually called the seal of Solomon. I do not know if it was adopted as the seal of Islam, but it was found on the lid of a very beautiful cup or jug made of brass and copper, covered with patterns, which was captured by the troops when the emir (note that "emir" is the title of the ruler exclusively in Muslim countries, note from ZanziOrk) was infected. The main slave trader of Northern Nigeria has been defeated. I thought it was an appropriate sign for Northern Nigeria, and as far as I remember, it was my own suggestion."

In general, by the governor's arbitrariness, the Seal of Solomon has become a symbol of Nigeria. At the same time, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that this symbol was depicted in green.

With that, the explanatory team departs into the sunset, and we proceed directly to the coin. Long-time VK subscribers may remember this type (although the coin is different there), but it definitely wasn't in TG.
1/10 penny of British West Africa, issued in 1907, KM# 1, as can be seen from the catalog number - the first coin of the region.
From the point of view of a numismatist, it has one big drawback and one indisputable advantage.
The disadvantage, of course, is the material. As you have already understood, it is aluminum. And African aluminum from the early twentieth century is almost always corrosion. The indisputable advantage is, of course, accessibility. Compared to the British East African cent, which was minted from exactly the same blanks, 1/10 of a penny is extremely affordable if you don't ideally look for it. You can even choose from several offers).

That's all for this Monday. Next time we will continue to observe the coins with the Seal of Solomon and remember Edward the Seventh.

In the attached photos:
1/10 penny of British West Africa, 1907 KM# 1, minted at the Royal Mint in London, with a circulation of 1,254,000 copies.
Sir Frederick Lugard, the last governor of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate (1912-1914), the first High Commissioner (1900-1906) and the last Governor (1912-1914) of the Northern Nigeria Protectorate and the first Governor-General of Nigeria (1914-1919). Separately, I want to cancel that in the interval between these duties, he managed to visit the governor of Hong Kong (1907-1912).
The emblem of British Nigeria.

Lets talk about it :)

Try post it again.

shortest reign, nicest portrait and reverse imo.

I threw in Somalia for extra credit

100,000 mintage. This one's my third 1938. Unfortunately the obverse has some graffiti. also pics of the 1937 1,100,000 mintage Crown that arrived with it.

Very interesting history behind this wee coin

This is a 1960 1/12th of a shilling from the Bailiwick of Jersey, commemorating the 300th Anniversary of the Accession of King Charles II. The obverse features Queen Elizabeth II (crowned), and the reverse the royal arms of Jersey. It is composed of bronze, and my example weighs 9.52g. This coin was minted as Jersey was the first place to proclaim King Charles II following the abolition of the monrachy

This is a 1933 halfpenny from the Commonwealth of Australia. My example weighs 5.5g, and is composed of bronze. The obverse features a crowned portrait of King George V, whilst the reverse features the denomination and year. These coins were minted in Melbourne.

This is a 1941 25 cents from the German occupation of the Netherlands during WW2. This examples weighs 5g, and is composed of zinc. The obverse features a Viking ship, and the reverse features the denomination between two branches. It was minted at the Royal Dutch Mint.

This is a 1966 10 shillings from the Bailiwick of Guernsey, celebrating 900 years since the battle of Hastings, and Norman succession. The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. And the reverse features a portrait of William the Conqueror. It was minted at the royal mint, and my example weighs 11.3g.

This is a 1965, 50 cents from the British Caribbean Eastern Territories Group. This coin is composed of copper nickel, and my example weighs 12.8g. The obverse features Queen Elizabeth II, and the reverse features the coat of arms of the British Caribbean Territories, featuring the coat of arms of the British Leeward Islands, Trinidad, British Guyana, and the British Windward Islands. Only 100,000 were minted for 1965, with 1.5 million in 1955.

Working on collecting crowns from 1862

This is an 1835 Quarter Anna, minted under the reign of William IV. The obverse features the coat of arms of the East India company, while the reverse features the denomination and a laurel. It is composed of copper, and my example weighs 6.32g. This example appears to have been minted in Bombay, and is a large one quarter anna version.

The British Guiana 4 Pence, minted between 1891 and 1901, is a sterling silver coin (.925) featuring the portrait of Queen Victoria. Known locally as a "bit," it was specifically requested by the colonial government to serve as a quarter-guilder for trade in the West Indies. The design is easily identified by Victoria’s profile on the obverse and the words "FOUR PENCE" crowned within an oak wreath on the reverse.

These coins are historically significant because they revived the four-pence denomination long after it had fallen out of regular use in Great Britain. Despite their small size (approx. 16mm), they were workhorse coins for local labor payments and daily commerce. Today, they are popular with collectors for their colonial history, with the 1891 and 1894 issues being the most frequently encountered dates in the market.