Lesotho Coin List

The official currency of Lesotho is the loti (plural: maloti), which is divided into 100 lisente. The loti is pegged to the South African rand at a 1:1 parity through the Common Monetary Area, meaning that both currencies are legal tender in Lesotho.

Monetary history

Prior to the introduction of the loti in 1980, Lesotho used the South African rand as its official currency. This dates back to the time when Lesotho was a British protectorate known as Basutoland. After independence in 1966, the country continued to use the rand until it decided to issue its own currency to assert its economic sovereignty.

Numismatic milestones

Lesotho has issued several commemorative coins over the years, highlighting important events and national figures. One of the most notable series was issued in 1966 to commemorate the country's independence, which included gold and silver coins. In addition, in 2016, Lesotho released a special series of coins to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence, demonstrating national pride and the importance of numismatics in the country's culture.