I have a coin dated 1958 from East Africa. The obverse has Queen Elizabeth II, suggesting it is British. However, from what I can tell, British East Africa was known as Kenya since 1920, and German East Africa (Which the British aquired after WWI) became Tanganyika once it was under British control. So, I honestly have no idea where this coin is "from." Was it from one of these areas? Or used throughout the British East African lands as a whole?
Chances are you have a token or medal of some kind, not a coin. According to Krause the British East Africa Colony minted coins through 1952, with the last ones bearing the "East Africa" designation having a bust of George VI, Elizabeth's father. Krause also indicates that later coins for that area are listed under Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. There are no Elizabeth effigies on any Kenya or Tanzania coins shown in the current 32d Ed., and all of those with her bust in Uganda have the legend "Bank of Uganda" on them. If you can't post pictures, which would be the best approach, can you at least quote all of the legends, including the denomination - if any - and specify the size and apparent metal?
Roy, East Africa issued coinage until 1963, when the union was dissolved upon the independence of the 3 member states. The effigy of QEII appears on the 50 cent coins, KM#36, from 1954-1963. The 1958 in question should have the "H" (Heaton Mint, Birmingham, England) mintmark. 2002 catalog values are F=$0.15, VF=$0.40, XF=$2.00, UNC=$5.00. Kenya - gained independence on December 12, 1963 Tanzania - December 19, 1963 Uganda - October 12, 1962
In my opinion, it looks very coin-like. I'm not sure how the scan turned out, though. East Africa Fifty Cents 1958 Half Shilling Lion in the center, mountain in bg, 50 written under lion Obverse: Queen Elizabeth The Second Image of Queen Elizabth wearing large crown About the size of a US nickle. Where would the mint mark be?
Can anyone refer me to a good eye doctor? The picture in Krause is poor quality, but that's no excuse.
East African coins are within my field of expertise.There is a few error coins in the East African series,mostly mules with British West African 1d.'s being mules with the East African 10c.The other error coins that occasionally turn up is the 'KHN' errors,which are always on the 50c. (1/2/-) of Queen Elizabeth II.There were 2 East African coins issued in 1964 - the 5c. & the 10c.The East African 10c. of 1956 (the only Elizabethan one) is actually quite a scarce coin,which very seldom turns up. Other coins that are of interest to British Commonwealth coin collectors are of the following countries; East Africa Protectorate. East Africa & Uganda Protectorates. Kenya. Mombasa. Republic of Somaliland. Tanzania. Uganda. Zanzibar. Aidan.
