Gambian pound

The Gambian pound was the currency of the Gambia between 1907 and 1971. Gambia used the British West African pound until it issued its own currency on October 5, 1964. In 1971, the dalasi replaced the pound at a rate of 1 pound = 5 dalasi, i.e., 1 dalasi = 4 shillings.

Coins

Coins were introduced in 1966 in denominations of 1, 3 and 6 pence, 1, 2 and 4 shillings, with 8 shillings added in 1970. All coins had Queen Elizabeth II's portrait on the obverse.

Value	Date	Composition	Reverse
1 penny	1966	Bronze	Native sailing boat
3 pence	1966	Aluminium bronze	Double-spurred francolin
6 pence	1966	Cupronickel	Three peanuts
1 shilling	1966	Cupronickel	Oil palm
2 shillings	1966	Cupronickel	African domestic ox
4 shillings	1966	Cupronickel	Slender-snouted crocodile
8 shillings	1970	Cupronickel	Hippopotamus

The 8 shilling coin of Gambia is the only example of this denomination ever minted. With the exception of the Hippopotamus, the reverse designs of the pre-decimal coins were reused on Gambia's decimal coins.

Banknotes

On October 5, 1964, banknotes were introduced by the Gambia Currency Board in denominations of 10 shillings, 1 and 5 pounds. All notes had a sailing boat with a forest background on the obverse and were produced until 1970.

Value	Colour	Reverse
10 shillings	Green	Natives tending their crops
1 pound	Red	Labourers working at a wharf
5 pounds	Blue	People using hand powered machinery

See also

• Economy of the Gambia