Catalog
| Issuer | British West Africa |
|---|---|
| Year | 1912-1936 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Penny (1⁄240) |
| Currency | Pound (1907-1968) |
| Composition | Copper-nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel) |
| Weight | 9.45 g |
| Diameter | 31 mm |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm |
| Shape | Round with a round hole |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | KM#9 |
| Obverse description | Crown above center hole, denomination around hole in English, in Arabic beneath NOTE: Mintmark (where present) below hole |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Arabic, Latin |
| Obverse lettering | GEORGIVS V REX ET IND: IMP: ONE PENNY H وَاحِد پَنّي |
| Reverse description | Hexagram, date beneath |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering | BRITISH WEST AFRICA · 1919 · |
| Edge | Smooth |
| Mint |
Royal Mint (Tower Hill), London,United Kingdom (1810-1975) H Heaton and Sons / The Mint Birmingham (Heaton and Sons / The Mint Birmingham Limited),United Kingdom (1850-2003) KN Kings Norton Metal Company,Birmingham, United Kingdom (1890-1962) |
| Mintage |
1912 H - - 1 560 000 1913 - (fr) rare - 1 680 000 1913 H - (fr) rare - 144 000 1914 - - 3 000 000 1914 H - (fr) rare - 72 000 1915 H - - 3 295 000 1916 H - - 3 461 000 1917 H - - 444 000 1918 H - (fr) rare - 994 000 1919 H - - 21 864 000 1919 KN - - 264 000 1920 H - - 37 870 000 1920 KN - - 20 685 000 1922 KN - (fr) rare - 3 971 000 1926 - - 8 039 999 1927 - (fr) rare - 792 000 1927 - Proof - 1928 - - 6 672 000 1928 - Proof - 1929 - (fr) rare - 636 000 1929 - Proof - 1930 - Proof - 1933 - - 2 806 000 1934 - - 2 640 000 1934 - Proof - 1935 - - 8 551 000 1935 - Proof - 1936 - - 7 368 000 1936 - Proof - |
| Numisquare ID | 6335774520 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context:The British West Africa 1 Penny of George V, issued 1912-1936, epitomizes the British Empire's economic integration and administrative reach in the early 20th century. King George V’s reign (1910-1936) saw colonial consolidation, and this unified currency served Gambia, Gold Coast, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. The penny, a vital denomination, facilitated daily commerce and underscored British authority, standardizing monetary systems across the region.
Artistry:The coin’s design reflects neoclassical realism, characteristic of early 20th-century British imperial coinage. The obverse features Sir Bertram Mackennal’s crowned bust of King George V, facing left, a dignified royal portrait. The reverse, often by George Kruger Gray, presents a distinctive central hole, a practical feature for colonial issues to conserve metal and prevent confusion with metropolitan coins. Surrounding the hole are the denomination "ONE PENNY," "BRITISH WEST AFRICA," and the date, typically surmounted by a crown, reflecting clear, functional design.
Technical/Grading:Struck in durable copper-nickel, the 1 Penny generally exhibits good strike quality, though variations occur. Key high-points for assessing wear and strike on the obverse include King George V’s hair, ear, and crown details. On the reverse, sharpness of the crown above the central hole and clarity of lettering are crucial. Weak strikes may show flatness on high-relief areas of the portrait or crown, impacting the grade. Rim and legend details are usually well-defined.