On June 1, 2019, the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) officially launched the new currency with Governor Patrick Njoroge, officially presenting President Uhuru Kenyatta with the first batch of new generation banknotes.
CBK also premiered new coins in the phase-out. The new currency would replace the portraits of Kenya's former Heads of State with watermarks of Kenya's major income sectors including agriculture, education, tourism and industrialization.
Notably, there are some coins that have been produced in limited supply and are exclusively available to the CBK or to a few lucky individuals in society. Ranging from gold to silver, these coins have been used to commemorate special events and individuals in society.
Kenyans.co.ke takes a look at some of these coins and the history behind them and came up with the following list:
Set of three Gold Coins
In 1996, the first CBK Governor, Leon Baranski released three gold coins of different sizes. The coins were in honour of Kenya's first president, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta to celebrate his birthday.
On the top side of the coin was an image of Mzee Kenyatta while the back contains engravings of his flywhisk, a cockrel and Mount Kenya with the words ' Father of the Kenya Nation'.
The Freedom Single Coin
Minted into a nonagon (a shape with nine sides), the Ksh5 shilling coin was released in1973 to mark 10 years of Kenya's independence. Unlike the popular octagonal silver-plated 5-shilling coin, the Freedom Coin was actually made of silver and had different engraving.
The Moi Era Coins
In 1978, President Daniel Moi ascended to power following the death of Mzee Kenyatta. To mark this fete, CBK released two separate coins, one gold and the other silver to remember the date he was sworn into office.
The gold coin was worth Ksh3,000 shillings while the silver one was worth Ksh200. Both coins had the date October 14, 1978, engraved at the tail end.
CBK Turns 20
The Central Bank marked 20 years of existence since its formation in 1966 with a silver coin. Formally part of the East African Currency Board (EACB) it was established by an Act of Parliament of March 24 but opened its doors to the public on September 14, 1966.
The Ksh500 coin had Moi's portrait on its head and on its tail was engraved the words, 'Central Bank of Kenya September 24, 1966-1986'.
Moi Era Diamond Jubilee
In 1988, the then CBK Boss Philip Ndegwa released a special coin to mark Moi's 10 years in power. The black background was against a silver lining. On the Ksh500 coin were the words '10 great Nyayo Years, October 14, 1978-1988' engraved in silver.
CBK Silver Jubilee
To mark 25 years of operations in the country, CBK released a Ksh1,000 coin made from pure silver. As expected, it had the portrait of the sitting president at the time.
While the coin was released in exclusivity, a number of Kenyans including former Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko have been spotted with the coin.
Ushering in Kibaki Era
In 2003, the national bank regulator released three coins to mark 40 years of independence and the beginning of Retired President Mwai Kibaki's tenure in power.
The independence coins included the Ksh1,000 silver coin and a Ksh5,000 coin. They also reduced the Ksh40 'Kibaki' coin and a Ksh200 shilling note to mark Kenya's ruby (40th) anniversary.
Kenya's Golden Jubilee
CBK marked 50 years of Kenya's independence with a golden coin. Unlike the previous special coin, the gold-plated piece had the map of Kenya on its top side and is only worth Ksh50 as is stored in an acrylic block.
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