Mauritius

Republic of Mauritius is very small country in Indian ocean. Its area makes 2040 sq.km. and population about 1296000.
Mauritius was found in early 1500's by Portuguese navigator Domingo Fernandes. In 1598 this island has been occupied by Dutches. They used island of Mauritius as convenient sea harbor. But first Dutch settlement was founded at 1638 only. Dutches have brought slaves from Madagascar and have organized small plantations of a sugar cane. But they have been forced to leave colony in 1710 because they had to escape from the bred rats.
In 1715 Mauritius became French colony. First French settlement was founded at 1721. In 1735 the population of Mauritius has reached the number of 1000 people (200 Whites and 800 slaves).
At 1802-1810 Mauritius became a pirates's base (French colonial administration patronized privateers) - it was the attempt to struggle against British Fleet. At August of 1810 French Fleet has even won against British (Battle of Grand-Port, near Mauritius island). But English troops have returned soon and have inflicted defeat over the French garrisons. In 1814 Mauritius became British colony. In this period population of Mauritius was rather numerous (about 70000: slaves - 50000, Whites - 20000).
In 1835 slavery was abolished. Population of Mauritius became numerous: about 96000 Whites and Blacks. Immigrants from India and China began to arrive to the island; most of immigrants were used as cheap hired workers on plantations.

 

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The population quickly increased and in 1861 has exceeded 300000 people. Mauritius was British colony until March 12 1968 when its became a member of the British Commonwealth. At March 12 1992 Mauritius became republic.

 

Monetary system of Mauritius was simple: 100 cents = 1 rupee.

 

1 cent 1956, bronze, weight - 1,9 g., size - 18 mm, thickness - 1 mm, mintage - 500000 pcs. Engraver: Cecil Thomas. Coins of this type were released at 1953, 1955-57, 1959-65, 1969-71, 1975 and 1978. Ruler: queen Elisabeth II.

 

2 cents 1967, bronze, weight - 3,85 g., size - 23,2 mm, mintage - 250000 pcs. Engraver: Cecil Thomas. Coins of this type were released at 1953-57, 1959-67, 1969, 1971, 1975 and 1978. Ruler: queen Elisabeth II.

 

5 cents 1975, bronze, weight - 9,7 g., size - 28,4 mm, thickness - 2 mm, mintage - 3700000 pcs. Engraver: Cecil Thomas. Coins of this type were released at 1956-57, 1959-66, 1963-67, 1969-71, 1975 and 1978. Ruler: queen Elisabeth II.

 

10 cents 1978, copper-nickel, weight - 5,15 g., size - 23,5 mm, thickness - 1,5 mm, mintage - 13000000 pcs. Engraver: Cecil Thomas. Coins of this type were released at 1954, 1957, 1959-60, 1963-66, 1969-71, 1975 and 1978. Ruler: queen Elisabeth II.

 

Quarter rupee 1978, copper-nickel, weight - 2,95 g., size - 19 mm, thickness - 1,3 mm, mintage - 8800000 pcs. Engravers: Cecil Thomas (obverse - portrait) and George Edward Kruger Gray (reverse - face value). Coins of this type were released at 1960, 1964-65, 1970-71, 1975 and 1978. Ruler: queen Elisabeth II.

 

One rupee 1950, copper-nickel, weight - 11,7 g., size - 29,6 mm, thickness - 2,35 mm, mintage - 1500000 pcs. Engravers: Percy Metcalfe (obverse - portrait) and George Edward Kruger Gray (reverse - face value). Coins of this type were released at 1950 and 1951. Ruler: king George VI (1936-1952).

 

One rupee 1971, copper-nickel, weight - 11,7 g., size - 29,6 mm, thickness - 2,2 mm, mintage - 600000 pcs. Engravers: Cecil Thomas (obverse - portrait) and George Edward Kruger Gray (reverse - face value). Coins of this type were released at 1956, 1964, 1971, 1975 and 1979. Ruler: queen Elisabeth II.

 

That is all.

 

1978 Proof set, Mintage 30,000

 

Republic of Mauritius (since March 12 1992).
20 cents 2003, nickel plated steel, weight - 3 g., size - `9 mm, thickness - 1,65 mm, mintage - unknown. Coins of this type were released at 1987, 1990-91, 1993-96, 1999, 2001, 2003-2005, 2007, 2010 and 2012.

 

Republic.
Half rupee 2002, nickel plated steel, weight - 5,83 g., size - 23,59 mm, thickness - 2 mm, mintage - unknown. Coins of this type were released at 1987, 1990-91, 1997, 1999, 2002-2005, 2009-2010 and 2013.

 

Mauritius as the member of the British Commonwealth.
One rupee 1990, nickel plated steel, weight - 7,45 g., size - 26,5 mm, thickness - 1,8 mm, mintage - unknown. Coins of this type were released at 1987, 1990-91, 1993-94, 1996-97, 1999, 2002, 2004-2005 and 2007-2010.

 

Republic.
Five rupees 1992, copper-nickel, weight - 12,62 g., size - 31 mm, thickness - 2,36 mm, mintage - unknown. Coins of this type were released at 1987, 1991-92, 2009-2010 and 2012.

 

Republic.
10 rupees 1997, copper-nickel, weight - 10,13 g., size - 27,5 mm, thickness - 2,17 mm, mintage - unknown. Coins of this type were released at 1997 and 2000.

 

There are many other coins, the official coinage of Mauritius started in 1877 (During English reign). Many ancient coins from immigrants were used before while official coinage wasn't yet issued.

 

King George VI (1936-1952).
Quarter rupee 1951, copper-nickel, weight - 2,95 g., size - 19 mm, mintage - unknown. Engravers: Percy Metcalfe (obverse - portrait of the King) and George Edward Kruger Gray (reverse). Coins of this type were released at 1950 and 1951.

 

King George VI (1936-1952).
Half rupee 1950, copper-nickel, weight - 5,85 g., size - 23,65 mm, thickness - 1,92 mm, mintage - 1000000 pcs. Engravers: Percy Metcalfe (obverse - portrait of the King) and George Edward Kruger Gray (reverse). Coins of this type were released at 1950 and 1951.