Coins of The Rhodesian Pound - UDI-period Coinage

UDI-period 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.