Description
The kwacha is the official currency of Malawi since 1971 when it replaced the Malawian pound. The name kwacha is derived from the Chichewa word meaning “it has dawned”, and tambala means “rooster” in Chichewa. The Reserve Bank of Malawi is the official issuing entity. In 1971, the first coins were issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 tambala, followed by 50 tambala and 1 kwacha in 1986, and 5 and 10 kwacha in 2007.
The 10 Malawian kwacha coin front design features the National Coat of Arms (consist of a shield containing a rising sun, a water pattern, and a stylized lion. A lion and a leopard hold the shield; on top of the shield is a helmet and an African fish eagle with a rising sun behind. At the base, there is a representation of the Mlanje mountain and the National motto: “Unity and Freedom.”). The reverse coin design illustrates an elephant with its calf beside the denomination and the issue date. This coin is part of the 2012 – 2018 series, its rim is fluted, and its color is silver.
Text: Malawi, Unity and Freedom, Ten Kwacha, 2012.