🪙 1948 Seychelles 5 Cents Coin – Last Echo of a Colonial Empire
This is not just a coin — it’s a bronze fragment of global history. The 1948 Seychelles 5 Cents coin represents a fading British colonial era, the reign of King George VI, and a transition point in global geopolitics. It’s a relic from the Indian Ocean’s most exotic archipelago — a Crown Colony minting coins in the name of an empire already losing its grip on the world.
📌 Quick Facts:
- Country: Seychelles (British Crown Colony at the time)
- Denomination: 5 Cents
- Year of Issue: 1948
- Metal: Bronze
- Weight: Approx. 5.67 grams
- Diameter: ~25.5 mm
- Obverse: King George VI (Crowned portrait, left-facing)
- Reverse: “SEYCHELLES 5 CENTS 1948” in colonial serif font
- Minted by: Royal Mint, United Kingdom
🕰️ Historical Context:
📜 1. Colonial Seychelles in 1948
In 1948, Seychelles was still a British Crown Colony, separated from Mauritius in 1903 and under British administration until its independence in 1976. This coin was minted in the immediate aftermath of World War II, during a time when the British Empire was consolidating and simplifying coinage systems across its territories.
As colonial structures slowly crumbled, Seychelles still clung to imperial monetary symbols — this coin is a remnant of that loyalty, a financial signature of a soon-to-be lost system.
👑 2. King George VI Era
On the obverse, we see King George VI, ruler of the United Kingdom and its dominions from 1936 to 1952. His portrait was used across colonial currencies, symbolizing unity under the British crown. The coin still carries the imperial title:
“GEORGIVS VI REX ET IND:IMP”
(George VI, King and Emperor of India)
Though India had gained independence in 1947, this 1948 coin continues to bear the “IND:IMP” legend — making it one of the final issues with that inscription. A symbolic relic of how slowly empires fade.
💰 3. Design & Minting
The reverse side features a clean serif font declaring the denomination and country. Simple, no-frills, and practical — reflecting British colonial design language. Likely engraved under the supervision of the Royal Mint’s Chief Engraver of the time.
🧭 4. Rarity & Collectibility
- Circulated (Fine): ₹80–₹200
- Very Fine to Uncirculated: ₹400–₹800
- Proof or Graded Specimens: ₹1000+ (if slabbed and certified)
This coin is not extremely rare — but very few exist in pristine condition, and it’s getting harder to find genuine 1940s-era Seychelles coins. Perfect for numismatists collecting:
- 🔹 British Empire coinage
- 🔹 Indian Ocean territories
- 🔹 Post-WWII historical transitions
🧠 Why It’s Relevant in 2025:
As India redefines its place in global power and collectors look back at the colonial-to-sovereign transition period, this coin is an artifact that captures the silence before the storm — when empires quietly crumbled, and nations slowly awakened.
UNIQUESA exists to preserve stories behind items — and this coin tells one worth remembering.
📸 Condition of This Piece:
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Check the clarity of the King’s portrait, rim sharpness, and date detail. Stored securely to prevent further oxidation.
💸 Listing Type:
Price: ₹[Insert Final Price]
Also accepting bids if you’d like to make an offer. Add this gem to your legacy collection.
📚 Did You Know?
🌴 Seychelles was discovered by the French but colonized by the British.
⚓ It was used as a supply stop during naval routes in the 1800s.
🪙 Coinage in Seychelles began under British influence in 1939 — this 1948 issue marks the end of the “IND:IMP” series in the region!
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