Lesotho – 1966 – Independence Commemorative – 3 gold coins set and silver coins – COA 0201

Lesotho – 1966 – Independence Commemorative Set – 3 gold coins and 4 silver coins – COA 0201

Details:

Country: Lesotho
Year of minting: 1966
Material: Gold + Silver
Edition: 1500
Total weight (fine): 25.64 g
Special feature: With original case and certificate number 0201

The following 3 gold coins are included:

1 Maloti

Material: Gold (.917)
Weight: 3,994 g
Fine weight: 3.662 g
Diameter: 19.0 mm

2 Maloti

Material: Gold (.917)
Weight: 7.99 g
Fine weight: 7.33 g
Diameter: 22.0 mm

4 Maloti

Material: Gold (.917)
Weight: 15.98 g
Fine weight: 14.65 g
Diameter: 28.0 mm

Description:

After 100 years of British administration, the mountain homeland of the Basotho, an enclave within the Republic of South Africa, became an independent state within the Commonwealth on October 4, 1966, and is known as the Kingdom of Lesotho. To commemorate this historic event, the government of Lesotho minted a limited edition of gold and silver coins.

The front side features the chief of Moshoeshoe, the founder of the Basotho nation and one of the most important figures in the history of southern Africa in the 19th century.

He was born towards the end of the 18th century and died in 1870, shortly after placing his country under the protection of the British Crown.

The reverse of the coins bears the coat of arms of Lesotho. The ponies allude to the fact that Basutoland was famous for its hardy mountain horses. The crocodile is the symbol of the Bakoena tribe, to which Moshoeshoe belonged, and is now considered a symbol of national unity. The Sesotho motto Khotso, Pula, Nala means peace, rain, abundance.

The desire for peace was the dominant theme in Moshoeshoe’s life and still characterizes the Basotho today, although the nation has never been slow to take up arms in self-defense. Indeed, the shield, spear, and kiere are symbols of their valor in war. Peace is considered a prerequisite for abundance or prosperity, as is rain in a country that depends on agriculture.