Catalog
5 Kwacha Monkey
| Issuer | Reserve Bank of Malawi |
|---|---|
| Year | 2005 |
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| Thickness | 3.0 mm |
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| Obverse description | Right-facing crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II after the portrait by Raphael Maklouf, depicted with a diadem and pearl necklace, set against a deeply mirrored field. The legend ELIZABETH II arcs across the upper rim, while the date 2005 appears at the lower left and the denomination 5 KWACHA at the lower right, flanking the Malawian coat of arms at the base. The portrait is rendered in high relief with fine detail in the hair and regalia. The rim is adorned with a beaded border throughout. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | ELIZABETH II 2005 MALAWI 5 KWACHA |
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| Additional information |
Malawi's wildlife-themed coinage of the early 2000s was produced largely for the collector export market rather than domestic circulation — the 5 Kwacha face value was nominal against the actual production cost, and these pieces were sold through European distributors specializing in novelty and exotic issues. The silver plating over copper-nickel was a deliberate cost reduction that allowed higher mintage at accessible price points for that market.
The vervet and other primate species featured across this series reflect Malawi's position bordering the forests of the Rift Valley corridor, though by 2005 habitat pressure had already made several local monkey populations vulnerable.