1 Sente - Letsie III Magnetic

KM#54a is the magnetic variant of the standard brass 1 Sente, distinguished by its steel core — introduced as a cost-cutting measure that became increasingly common across African coinage in the early 1990s as commodity prices made solid brass circulation pieces economically impractical. Lesotho's tiny domestic economy meant mintage quantities were modest, and low-denomination brass-plated steel coins of this type frequently escaped serious numismatic attention at the time of issue.

Letsie III had just assumed the throne following his father Moshoeshoe II's forced abdication by the military government in 1990.