Catalog
1 Pula
| Issuer | Bank of Botswana |
|---|---|
| Year | 1991-2007 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | 2.7 mm |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A finely detailed zebra in full gallop is depicted in left profile, rendered in high relief with characteristic bold striping across its body occupying the central field of the heptagonal flan. The denomination numeral 1 appears at the upper field above the word PULA, both inscribed in a clean upright Latin typeface. The uncluttered field emphasizes the naturalistic rendering of the animal, a symbol of Botswana's national identity and wildlife heritage. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
The pula — meaning "rain" in Setswana — was introduced in 1976 when Botswana replaced the South African rand to establish an independent monetary system, a move made viable by the country's rapidly expanding diamond revenues. By the time this series was struck, Botswana had become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, largely on the strength of the Orapa and Jwaneng mines.
The nickel brass composition was chosen for durability in a climate where coinage circulates hard. Seventeen years is a long production run for a single type, and examples from the early 1990s show noticeably more wear than those struck closer to 2007.