Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions
  • 200 Shillings 1970, KM# 21, Somalia, 10th Anniversary of Independence
  • 200 Shillings 1970, KM# 21, 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 the 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 Arabian camel (Dromedary) carrying supplies, denomination above in Arabic, English, and Italian on both sides. The mint mark above.

The dromedary (Camelus dromedarius), also known as the dromedary camel, Arabian camel, or one-humped camel, is a large even-toed ungulate, of the genus Camelus, with one hump on its back. It is the tallest of the three species of camel; adult males stand 2.2–3.6 m (7 ft 3 in – 11 ft 10 in) at the shoulder, while females are 1.7–1.9 m (5 ft 7 in – 6 ft 3 in) tall. Males typically weigh between 400 and 690 kg (880 and 1,520 lb), and females weigh between 300 and 540 kg (660 and 1,190 lb).

شلن صومالي٢٠٠
SCELLINI 200 SCILLINGS

Edge

200 Shillings (Scellini)

Democratic Republic
KM# 21
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.900
Weight 28 g
Diameter 38.5 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Mint
Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS)

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