Description
The pula is the official currency of Botswana since 1976 when it replaced the South African rand at par. The name is derived from the word “pula”, which means rain in the Setswana language. The Bank of Botswana introduced the first coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 thebe, followed by 2 pula coin in 1994. In 1998, the 1 and 2 coins were withdrawal. In 2013, The Central Bank of Botswana introduced a new coin series; all previous coins were demonetized and remained exchangeable to current coins until 2019.
The 5 Botswana pula coin front design features the National Coat of Arms (consists of a traditional South African shield containing three cogwheels, three waves, and a bull’s head. Two zebras support the shield; the zebra on the right holds a sorghum ear, and the zebra on the left holds an ivory elephant tusk. At the bottom, a ribbon with the national motto: “Pula”) surrounded by mopane tree branches and the issue date. The lettering is presented in the Malay language. The reverse coin design illustrates a mopane worm walking on a mopane tree surrounded by branches of the tree and the denomination. This coin is part of the 2013 – 2016 series, its rim is plain with fluted sections, and its color is silver and gold.
Text: Botswana Ipelegeng, Pula, 2013, 5 Pula.