| Description de l’avers |
The complete national arms of Botswana occupies the central field, featuring a shield divided into three sections: three interlocking cogwheels in chief, wavy horizontal lines in fess representing water, and a bull's head in base. Two zebras serving as supporters flank the shield on either side, each rearing on its hind legs. A scroll below bears the national motto PULA. The legend BOTSWANA arcs along the upper periphery, with the date 1988 and the national motto IPELEGENG inscribed in the lower field beneath the shield. |
| Écriture de l’avers |
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| Légende de l’avers |
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| Description du revers |
A finely detailed left-facing bust of Pope John Paul II fills the central field, depicted wearing his distinctive papal zucchetto and clerical collar, rendered in high relief against a deeply mirrored proof background. A small engraver's initial is visible at the lower truncation of the bust. The circumferential legend reads JOHN PAUL II - 5 PULA - SEPT. 1988, distributed around the full periphery of the coin, commemorating the papal visit to Botswana in September 1988. |
| Écriture du revers |
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| Légende du revers |
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| Tranche |
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| Atelier |
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| Tirage |
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John Paul II visited Botswana in September 1988 as part of a six-nation southern African tour, one of the most logistically ambitious papal trips of his pontificate. Botswana's Catholic population was — and remains — a small minority, making the visit more a diplomatic gesture toward the region than a pastoral one.
The .925 silver version was issued alongside a cupro-nickel circulation strike; KM#20 and #20a are distinguished by composition alone, sharing the same dies.