Numismatics, the study of coins, currency, and medals, offers invaluable insights into the economic and trade history of a region. In East Africa, the story of coins is a rich tapestry woven from local production, international trade, and colonial influence.
In this article, we will explore the history of coins in East Africa, from the early Swahili coast mints to the East African shilling and its role in the region's economic development.
East African 1 Cent Coin, dated 1955.
Early Coinage on the Swahili Coast
The minting of coins on the Swahili coast for trade purposes began in the twelfth century. International trade on the East African coast, specifically by the Swahili, augmented and diversified the region’s economic system.
The towns of Kilwa, Mafia, and Mogadishu were economic centers for the Swahili because of their resources and locations.
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According to conclusions drawn by Neville Chittick based on his archaeological excavations, coins in Kilwa came into use during the twelfth century, supplanting or supplementing other media of exchange such as cowrie shells and iron bars. By the late twelfth century, Kilwa had become a central minting center for the Shirazi Dynasty.
Map of East Africa
The Coins of Kilwa
Coin minting in Kilwa began under the auspices of ՙAlī bin al-Ḥasan and continued during his successors’s reigns. The coins of the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries became defining characteristics of the Shirazi Dynasty.
The coins of Kilwa were undated but typically were inscribed with the name of ՙAlī bin al-Ḥasan, an indication that they were minted during his reign or soon thereafter. The coins minted by al-Ḥasan’s ventures were of both copper and silver. Silver was imported from North Africa and was relatively low in exchange value.
Gold and copper, on the other hand, were imported from southern areas such as Great Zimbabwe and the Zambian copper belt. Because of gold’s high value, it was generally not worth making it into coins; it was typically used for trade rather than a currency minted for exchange.
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Until the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, Mogadishu had been the main center of the gold trade, but with the ascent of Abū al-Mawāhib (r. 1310-1333) of the Mahdali Dynasty (fourteenth century), who conducted the coin casting for the Shirazi Dynasty on the Swahili coast, the center of the gold trade moved to Kilwa, and prosperity followed.
Imported objects, notably Sāsānian glazed pots from the ninth century and Chinese porcelain, accumulated in growing numbers. In addition to locating coins from Kilwa, scholars have identified luxury goods most likely obtained through trade. Such artifacts are consistent with the increasing use of coins for luxury exchanges.
Mogadishu's Coinage
From Mogadishu, the earliest coin bearing a date is stamped 1322. The hundred-year difference between the ages of the earlier coins from Kilwa and those minted in north at Mogadishu may be attributed to the fact that in the north there was greater access to foreign coins minted in nearby regions.
Kilwa, however, was far enough south-at the periphery of the Red Sea and Mediterranean trade-that minting may have become necessary earlier, as trade intensified and competition with foreign markets increased.
Significance of Early Coinage
As trade grew with Persians, Arabs, and Indians, the need for a common currency increased. The minting of coins demonstrates a qualitative and quantitative intensification of trade.
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Kilwa, Mafia, and Mogadishu grew from small settlements to major economic centers, as trade flooded into the towns. By the fourteenth century, Mogadishu had become a center of Islamic learning, with three mosques for foreign Muslim merchants as well as locals. Additionally, mosques had been built in Kilwa, Gedi, Kaole, Sanje, and Magoma.
The use of coins in Swahili trade also signals a new era in commerce. As trade volume expanded, new methods of exchange were adopted to increase trade efficiency.
With coins, prices could be standardized and commercial exchanges made more expedient across territories separated by oceans.
The East African Rupee
The rupee was the currency of Britain's East African colonies and protectorates between 1906 and 1920. The rupee replaced the Indian rupee, which had previously circulated.
Silver coins were introduced for 25 and 50 cents in 1906, followed by the aluminium 1 cent and cupro-nickel 10 cent coins in 1907, the aluminium 1⁄2 cent coin in 1908 and the cupro-nickel 5 cent coin in 1913.
In 1906, notes (the first dated 1905) were introduced by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, East Africa Protectorate in denominations of Rs. 5, Rs. 10, Rs. 20, Rs. 40, Rs. 100 and Rs. 500. In 1920, the East African Currency Board issued Re.
The East African Shilling
In 1920, the rupee was revalued against sterling to a peg of 1 rupee = 2 shillings (1 florin). The East African shilling was introduced to Kenya, Tanganyika, and Uganda in 1921, replacing the short-lived East African florin at a rate of 2 shillings to 1 florin.
The florin had been introduced because of increasing silver prices after World War I. At that time, the Indian rupee was the currency of the British East African states. The rupee, being a silver coin, rose in value against sterling.
When it reached the value of two shillings, the authorities decided to replace it with the florin. From the florin thence came the East African shilling. The East African shilling was the sterling unit of account in British-controlled areas of East Africa from 1921 until 1969. It was issued by the East African Currency Board.
This anomalous state of affairs arose because the first currency used by the British colonial authorities in British East Africa was the rupee, not sterling.
Expansion of the Shilling
In 1951, the East African shilling replaced the Indian rupee in the Aden colony and protectorate, which became the South Arabian Federation in 1963. The shilling was also used in parts of what is now Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea when they were under British control.
- Before 1941, these areas, then known as Italian East Africa, used the Italian East African lira.
- In 1941, as a result of World War II, Britain regained control and introduced the shilling, at a rate of 1 shilling to 24 Lire.
- Italian Somaliland was returned to Italy in 1949 as a UN Trusteeship and soon switched to the somalo, which was at par with the shilling.
- British Somaliland gained independence in 1960, and joined what had been Italian Somaliland to create Somalia.
- Ethiopia regained independence in 1941, with British support, and began using the East African shilling.
- Eritrea was captured from the Italians in 1941, and began using the East African shilling, as well as the Egyptian pound. The lira was demonetised in 1942.
Banknotes
In 1921, notes were issued by the East African Currency Board in denominations of 5/-, 10/-, 20/-, 100/-, 200/-, 1,000/- and 10,000/-, with the notes of 20 shillings and above having their denominations expressed also in pounds (£1, £5, £10, £50 and £500).
In 1943, 1/- notes were issued, the only occasion that such notes were produced. 1,000/- notes were only issued until 1933, with 10,000/- notes last issued in 1947.
The East African 1 Cent Coin
The East African 1 Cent entered circulation in 1922 and was last minted in 1962. It was succeeded by 5 and 10 cent (post-colonial) equivalents, minted in 1964. This coin is an East African 1 Cent, dated 1955. The 1 cent coin represents the lowest denomination of the East African Schilling. A form of universal currency, that was used throughout British East Africa and British South Arabia. This particular variant circulated from 1954-1962, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The coin is a plain-edged design made of bronze (95.5% copper/3% tin/1.5% zinc) and weighs 2g. The coin's diameter is 20mm, with a large hole at its center.
The observe is designed around the central hole, it features the text “ONE CENT”. Immediately above is a pair of curved floral designs, with the Imperial State Crown at its top. This is wreathed by the text, "QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND". There is serrations along coin's edge, on both sides.
The reverse is relatively sparse, with a wreath of 4 ivory tusks along the central hole. Above is a number 1, identifying the coin's denomination. A thin ridge is used to separate the coin's text. It reads “EAST AFRICA” on the top and “1955” (mint date) on the bottom. A pair of mint marks are present between the text.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12th Century | Minting of coins begins on the Swahili coast |
| 1906 | Introduction of the East African Rupee |
| 1921 | Introduction of the East African Shilling |
| 1922 | East African 1 Cent coin enters circulation |
| 1962 | Last minting of the East African 1 Cent coin |
Aksumite Coins
Coins from Aksum provide material evidence that religion and other cultural aspects, not just commodities, traveled the Silk Roads. By exploring these objects chronologically, students should be able to notice the emergence of the use of the cross on Aksumite coins instead of the crescent and disc.
It’s important to emphasize to students that while this early symbol influenced the later use of the crescent moon in Islam, they are distinct symbols. Why might the Kingdom of Aksum, already heavily involved in international trade by the fourth and fifth centuries, decide to put a religious symbol on their coins?
One of two coins depicting King Ousanas (the first Christian King of Aksum) and an anonymous king, fourth century, Aksum, Gift of Joseph and Margaret Knopfelmacher, 1996, 59.794. Coin depicting King Ebana, depicted with crown, scepter, and wheat stalks (left) and wearing headcloth, scepter, and wheat stalks (right), c. 450-500, Aksum, 1904,0404.1. Coin depicting King Ioel on one side (left) and cross on the other (right), c. 550-600 CE, Aksum, 1989,0518.363.
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