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10 Maloti Papal Visit
| Issuer | Central Bank of Lesotho |
|---|---|
| Year | 1988 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
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|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A finely modeled right-facing bust of Pope John Paul II dominates the central field, depicted wearing papal vestments including a mozzetta and pectoral cross. The inscription POPE JOHN PAUL II is incused in small characters beneath the bust. The Sesotho commemorative legend KETELO EA NTATE EA HALALELANG arcs along the upper periphery, with the date 1988 positioned to the right of the effigy. The overall composition reflects a dignified commemorative style befitting a papal visit issue. |
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| Edge | Reeded |
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| Additional information |
Pope John Paul II visited Lesotho in September 1988 as part of a broader southern African tour, making it one of the few sub-Saharan nations to receive a papal visit during his pontificate. Lesotho's majority Catholic population — unusually high for the region, a direct result of nineteenth-century French Oblate missionary activity — gave the visit particular significance for the government of Moshoeshoe II.
The .925 silver specification and 28.28g weight place this squarely in the Crown-sized commemorative format then ubiquitous among Commonwealth-affiliated mints producing collector issues on contract.