Coin of the Week: 1999 Botswana 25 Thebe

Obverse (Image: Botswana Coat of Arms)

Reverse (Image: Zebu Bull)

The Republic of Botswana is a country in southern Africa. It won its independence from Great Britain in 1966. Botswana introduced its currency, the pula, in 1976, replacing the South African rand. The pula is subdivided into 100 thebe. An interesting fact is that pula means "rain" and can also mean "blessing", since rain is rare in Botswana. The word thebe means "shield".

The seven-sided 25 thebe has the coat of arms of Botswana on the obverse. According to Ralf Hartemink's website:

The shape of the shield is rather strange, as it is a shape used in East Africa and not by the Tswana tribes. The cog wheels
symbolize mining and industry in the country. The waves symbolize the (few) rivers in the country and the importance of water.
The bull's head symbolizes the importance of cattle herding for the economy of the country.

The supporters are two zebra, which are common among the wildlife in Botswana. The supporters hold an elephant's tusk, as a
symbol for the former ivory trade, and an ear of sorghum, the main local crop.

The reverse has a depiction of a zebu bull. These cattle originated in south Asia but were imported into Africa over many hundreds of years. More about the zebu can be read here.