Kenyan shilling coinage
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1966 onwards
Issuing entity
Republic of KenyaKenyan shilling coinage encompasses the metallic currency of Kenya, first introduced in 1966 under the mandate of the Central Bank of Kenya Act to replace the regional East African shilling at par. The currency is divided into 100 cents, with early issues circulating in denominations ranging from 5 cents up to 2 shillings.
Over the decades, higher denominations were progressively added, including 5 shillings in 1973 and 1985, 10 shillings in 1994, 20 shillings in 1998, and a commemorative bi-metallic 40-shilling piece in 2003. Composition and formats expanded to include stainless steel pieces and bi-metallic coins. In 2018, an entirely overhauled coin series was issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 20 shillings, designed to be more recognisable for visually impaired users.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Following independence, Kenya issued its first national coins in 1966, replacing the East African Currency Board coinage. Early designs featured the portrait of Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta. In 1980, coins were updated with the portrait of President Daniel arap Moi, until a 2005 series restored Kenyatta's likeness. In 2010, Section 231(4) of the Constitution of Kenya prohibited the depiction of any individual on national currency. Consequently, a new series was released on 11 December 2018, replacing presidential portraits with national symbols and wildlife.
Design
- Obverse
- Presidential portrait
- Reverse
- National arms and denomination
Identification
- Note
- Portrait changes mark the successive presidential periods.
- Recognition pointers (from background sources)
- Check the obverse portrait: issues from 1967–1978 and 2005 depict Jomo Kenyatta, 1980–2005 pieces depict Daniel arap Moi, and a 2003 bi-metallic 40/= coin depicts Mwai Kibaki. Look for the 2018 series by its absence of human portraits, featuring the national Coat of Arms on the obverse and recognisable African animals on the reverse.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Research required
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Denomination list, compositions and date ranges require transcription from a printed reference.