Coins, Tokens and Historical Medals

Seychelles, Republic, Pattern or Trial Rupee and 50 Cents, both 1977, in cupro-nickel, with the head of Sir James Mancham, revs. triton conch shell and vanilla orchid, edges grained, 11.64g/12h, 5.82g/12h (KM. –; cf. DNW 127, 2768) [2]. First extremely fine, second brilliant mint state, of the highest rarity £300-400

Sir James Mancham, whose head appeared on the obverses of the 1976 Seychelles issues and on the 25 rupees Silver Jubilee commemorative issued in early 1977, was deposed in a coup on 5 June 1977 led by the islands’ prime minister, France-Albert Renée, with the help of Tanzanian mercenaries. These two coins, almost certainly struck by the Royal Mint in the early months of 1977, were to designs copying those of 1976. The new regime ordered that Mancham’s head be removed from the coins forthwith and substituted by the islands’ coat of arms