Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions
  • 50 Shillings 1970, KM# 17, Somalia, 10th Anniversary of Independence
  • 50 Shillings 1970, KM# 17, Somalia, 10th Anniversary of Independence
Description

The Somali Democratic Republic (Somali: Jamhuuriyadda Dimuqraadiya Soomaaliyeed) was the name that the socialist military government gave to Somalia under President Major General Mohamed Siad Barre, after seizing power in a coup d'état on 21 October 1969. The coup came a few days after a bodyguard assassinated Abdirashid Shermarke, the nation's second President. Barre's administration ruled Somalia for the next 21 years until Somalia collapsed into civil war in 1991.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms of Somalia, surrounded by country name in Italian and Arabic above, with bilingual Arabic-Italian inscription "10th Anniversary of Independence" below with the date on both sides.

The coat of arms of Somalia, adopted on October 10, 1956, features a shield embellished with the Somali flag, accompanied by two Leopards standing atop crossed spears. Positioned at the center of the flag is the Star of Unity, and a crown adorns the top of the shield. Completing the emblem are crossed spears underneath, entwined with a ribbon.

REPUBLICA DEMOCRATICA SOMALA
الجمهورية الديمقراطية الصومالية
1960 1970
الذكرى العاشرة للاستقلال
X ANNIVERSARIO INDIDENDENZA

Reverse

Depicts an old man wearing traditional clothes holding dabqaad and vapor of incense raised above it, denomination above in Arabic right, English and Italian left. The mint mark above.

The dabqaad (Somali for "fire raiser"), also known as girgire, is a Somali incense burner, or censer. With either one or two handles, it is commonly used in Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

شلن صومالي٥٠
incenso
SCELLINI 50 SCILLINGS

Edge

50 Shillings (Scellini)

Democratic Republic
KM# 17 Schön# 17
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.900
Weight 7 g
Diameter 24 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS)

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