Ever wondered why the Five Dalasi note is called a Pound in The Gambia? It is quite easy to figure out the correct answer by making an intelligent guess, that’s if you didn’t know the answer already. Well here’s a fact; at its introduction in the late 60’s, the Five Dalasi note was equivalent to the value of One British Pound.
Anyways, I have known this for a very long time but surfing through the net recently, I came across an image of the original Gambian Pound issued by the Gambia Currency Board. The Five Dalasi bill, as we know it today has undergone different design modifications since. Check out the images after the cut.
Anyways, I have known this for a very long time but surfing through the net recently, I came across an image of the original Gambian Pound issued by the Gambia Currency Board. The Five Dalasi bill, as we know it today has undergone different design modifications since. Check out the images after the cut.
See the design similarities? You will also notice some of the upgraded features.
Whats's even more fascinating, is that I also stumbled upon the precursor to the One Gambian Pound. This was the 20 Shilling note issued in the 50’s by the West African Currency Board of British West Africa (The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria).
Whats's even more fascinating, is that I also stumbled upon the precursor to the One Gambian Pound. This was the 20 Shilling note issued in the 50’s by the West African Currency Board of British West Africa (The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Nigeria).
Interestingly, in the case of The Gambia, you will notice that the same red theme has been maintained throughout the existence of the note despite its evolution. I wonder if the same holds for the other former colonies of British West Africa.
One thing I can certainly bet on is that the Five Dalasi note will always be called a Pound in certain circles regardless of the variable Dalasi-Pound rates. And this sub-culture, I believe, will be passed on to future generations.