On 11 December, the Central Bank of Kenya issued its latest series of New Generation Coins featuring images of Kenya’s wildlife.
The new coins, which are available in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 shillings, have been designed following public consultation and are dedicated to Kenya’s heritage and respect for the environment. Each coin contains a portrait of an animal typical of Kenya, including a giraffe, rhinoceros, lion and elephant. They have also been designed to be accessible to those with visual impairments being different sizes and with differing milled edges.
The coins are all made using plated steel, either nickel to produce a silver colour or brass to provide a gold colour.
The 1 shilling coin is fully silver in colour and is the second largest coin of the series, being 23.9mm in diameter and weighing 5.5g.
The other three denominations are bi-coloured with the 5 and 20 shillings having a gold core and a silver ring, whilst the reverse is used for the 10 shilling coin. They range in diameter size from 19.5mm, 23mm and 26mm in order of increasing denomination, and weight from 3.75g, to 5g and 9g.
Image courtesy of the Central Bank of Kenya
The central bank has released a public education film detailing the new coins, available on its YouTube channel. Watch below:
Related links
Central Bank of Kenya website
New Generation Coins educational poster
