Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 50 Cents 1976-1977, KM# 25, Seychelles, Declaration of the Independence
  • 50 Cents 1976-1977, KM# 25, Seychelles, Declaration of the Independence
Description

Following the 1974 election, negotiations with the British resulted in an agreement by which Seychelles became a sovereign republic on June 29, 1976. The SDP and SPUP formed a coalition government in June 1975 to lead Seychelles to independence.

Seychelles is an archipelagic island country in the Indian Ocean at the eastern edge of the Somali Sea. The country consists of 115 islands. Its capital and largest city, Victoria, lies 1,500 kilometres (932 mi) east of mainland Africa.

Seychelles was uninhabited prior to being encountered by Europeans in the 16th century. It faced competing French and British interests until coming under full British control in the late 18th century. Since proclaiming independence from the United Kingdom in 1976, Seychelles has developed from a largely agricultural society to a market-based diversified economy, characterized by rapidly rising service, public sector, and tourism activities.

Obverse

Depicts a portrait of President James Mancham facing right, the country name above.

Sir James Richard Marie Mancham (1939–2017) was a Seychellois politician who founded the Seychelles Democratic Party and was the first President of Seychelles from 1976 to 1977.

Engraver: Michael Rizzello

REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES

Reverse

Depicts Vanilla orchid flowers and value at the left below, inscription with date above.

Vanilla planifolia, commonly known as the vanilla orchid, is native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Brazil and is a key source of vanilla flavoring due to its high vanillin content. First named in 1808, it grows as an evergreen vine and can reach up to 30 meters in length. The plant produces greenish-yellow flowers that require manual pollination to set fruit, with the resulting pods being harvested and cured for vanilla extract. Due to habitat loss and declining populations, the IUCN has classified Vanilla planifolia as endangered.

Engraver: Suzanne Danielli

INDEPENDENCE 1976
50
CENTS

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 5.8 g
Diameter 23.6 mm
Thickness 2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Heaton Mint, Birmingham (H)

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