Tanzanian shilling coinage
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
from 1966
Issuing entity
TanzaniaTanzanian shilling coinage encompasses the metallic currency issued for Tanzania following the introduction of the national currency in 1966. Denominated in shillings (Swahili: shilingi) and subdivisions of 100 cents (senti), the first coin series was designed by Christopher Ironside OBE and circulated between 1966 and 1984. The inaugural release consisted of bronze -/5, nickel-brass -/10, and cupro-nickel -/50 and 1/= coins, with cupro-nickel 5/= pieces added in 1972.
Nickel-plated steel was adopted for -/50 and 1/= pieces in 1987 alongside a decagonal 5/= coin, while later issues introduced brass-plated steel, copper-nickel-zinc, and higher-denomination pieces culminating in the 500/= coin issued in 2014.
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
The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East African shilling at par on 14 June 1966. Issued in an independent national monetary framework, coinage denominations evolved as paper notes were steadily phased out in favor of metallic currency. The 5/= banknote was replaced by a coin in 1972, followed by the replacement of the 10/=, 20/=, and 50/= notes with coins between 1987 and 1996.
Identification
- Recognition pointers (from background sources)
- Look for distinctive non-circular shapes, including the scalloped nickel-brass -/10 coin introduced in 1977 and the decagonal 5/= coin issued in 1987. Examine planchet composition across issue periods, which progressed from bronze, nickel-brass, and cupro-nickel in early series to nickel-plated steel, nickel-clad steel, and brass-plated steel in later decades.
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
- Series and metal listings require transcription from a printed reference.