6 Pence - Elizabeth II 2nd Portrait

The Gambia's 1966 coinage series was issued in anticipation of independence from Britain, which had been granted on February 18 of that year. These coins were struck at the Royal Mint and represented the newly sovereign nation's first purpose-built currency — the dalasi and butut system replacing British West African coinage that had served the territory for decades. The sixpence denomination in particular carried direct continuity with the colonial monetary system in both size and alloy, easing the transition for a population accustomed to British-standard coinage.