British West Africa Coins
The monetary history of British West Africa is fascinating and reflects the political and economic changes in the region. During the colonial period and the early years of independence, this area used a number of coins that are of great interest to numismatists.
The West African Pound
The West African Pound was the primary currency in the region from 1913 until the 1960s. Issued by the West African Currency Board, this currency circulated in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Coins and banknotes from this period are highly sought after by collectors, especially World War II-era issues, which include pieces minted in nickel-brass due to metal shortages.
Transition to national coins
With the independence of African nations, the West African Pound was gradually replaced by national coins. An important milestone was the introduction of the Cedi in Ghana in 1965, followed by the Naira in Nigeria in 1973. These new coins often featured designs that celebrated local culture and history, becoming pieces of great numismatic interest. The transition marked the end of a unified monetary era in the region and the beginning of diverse national monetary systems.
If you are a passionate collector, this catalog offers the possibility to create your own personal collection. You can add your coins and generate a free PDF catalog from a complete database and our management tools. In addition, once registered, you will have the opportunity to exchange coins with other collectors around the world easily and free of charge.
📢 British West Africa is a country that does not exist today. It is now part of the United Kingdom coins.
The most valuable coins
The most valuable British West Africa coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:
The valuation of these coins has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.
Coin Catalog
1/10 penny
1 penny
1/10 penny
1/10 penny
1/2 penny
1 penny
1/10 penny
1/2 penny
1 penny
3 pence
3 pence
3 pence
6 pence
6 pence
6 pence
1 shilling
1 shilling
2 shillings
2 shillings
2 shillings
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of British West Africa
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