Kenya Coins
The official currency of Kenya is the Kenyan shilling, which is divided into 100 cents. Introduced in 1966 after the country's independence, the shilling has witnessed Kenya's economic and political evolution. Throughout its history, this currency has undergone significant changes and has been the subject of interest to numismatists around the world.
Kenya's monetary history
Prior to the introduction of the Kenyan shilling, the region used various forms of money. During the British colonial period, the East African guilder circulated, which was replaced by the East African shilling in 1921. After independence in 1963, Kenya was part of the East African Currency Board along with Tanzania and Uganda, until it decided to establish its own national currency in 1966.
Numismatic Milestones
Among the highlights in Kenyan numismatics is the issuance of commemorative coins to celebrate important events, such as the 10th anniversary of independence in 1973. In addition, in 2003, Kenya introduced new coins with native animal designs, which increased collector interest. A recent milestone was the controversy in 2019 over new banknotes that removed images of previous political leaders, reflecting changes in the country's politics and culture.
Country | Kenya |
Flag | |
Coin | Kenyan shilling (KES) |
1€ | 136,97Sh |
Continent | Africa |
Capital city | Nairobi |
ISO2 | KE |
ISO3 | KEN |
Catalogued coins | 100 |
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.
The most valuable coins
The most valuable Kenya 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
50 shillings (50th Anniversary of the Central Bank)
5 cents
10 cents
25 cents
50 cents
1 shilling
2 shillings
5 cents
10 cents
50 cents
1 shilling
5 cents
10 cents
10 cents
50 cents
50 cents
1 shilling
1 shilling
5 shillings
5 shillings
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of Kenya
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