As you know, many countries (mostly small or island nations) came into being as a commonwealth member, a protectorate or a colony of the British Isles, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain or some other conqueror. Guinea was such a nation. Although Portugese navigators discovered Guinea in the 1400s they made no attempt at colonization nor in setting up a trade center in the area because the shoreline made landing a ship too dangerous an ordeal and the calmer seas further offshore were patrolled (controlled) by pirates. France ventured onto the scene in the mid 19th century and secured protectorate treaties with several chiefs of tribes living near the coast. During the next 20 to 30 years a native chief (Ahmed Sekou Toure) emerged as leader of the fledgeling nation and rallied the tribes to resist the ambitions of the French. After a long struggle, French military quelled the uprising and ruled the area as part of Senegal. In 1895 the now designated Guinee Francais became a self regulating colony of French West Africa. In 1946 France extended French citizenship to all the inhabitants and incorporated the colony into the newly formed French Union. However, Guinea chose to exit that French Commune and on October 2, 1958 Guinea became an independentt republic. As a new nation, the leadership began issuing its own currency in the form of coinage in 1959. That first year saw the production of two coins (5 and 10 Francs). Guess what? Yes, the bust of Ahmed Sekou Toure is on those first coins. Here's photos of the first two coins authorized by Guinea courtesy of Don's World Coin Gallery: http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...=Guinea km1 5 Francs (1959)&query=Guinea km 1 http://worldcoingallery.com/countri...Guinea km2 10 Francs (1959)&query=Guinea km 2 Hope this was interesting... Clinker
Thanks Mat.... And I Enjoy getting comments about them, especially when the comments are positive, like yours. I get goosebumps without feeling cold...:bow::bow: Clinker
