Obverse. Photo © World Coin Association
  • 5 Rupees 2016, Seychelles, Declaration of the Independence, 40th Anniversary
  • 5 Rupees 2016, Seychelles, Declaration of the Independence, 40th Anniversary
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 on 29th 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 the coat of arms of Seychelles, country name above and date dividing weight, metal and purity below.

The coat of arms of the Republic of Seychelles shows a shield, in which a giant tortoise is located on grounds. On the ground there is a coco de mer palm tree. Behind it there is a sea with two islands and a sail ship to be seen. The shield is enthroned by a helmet, on which a white-tailed tropicbird is located above waves. The shield is supported by two white sailfish. Beneath the shield the motto of Seychelles is stated: "Finis Coronat Opus" (Latin for "The End Crowns the Work").

REPUBLIC OF SEYCHELLES
FINIS · CORONAT · OPVS
0.5 g · 2016 · Au 585

Reverse

Depicts a landscape featuring a giant tortoise at its center. On the ground beside it stands a coco de mer palm tree. In the background, a sea with two islands and a sailing ship can be seen. The value left of the tree.

Lodoicea, commonly known as the sea coconut, coco de mer, or double coconut, is a monotypic genus in the palm family. The sole species, Lodoicea maldivica, is endemic to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles. It has the largest seed in the plant kingdom. It was also formerly found on the small islets of St Pierre, Chauve-Souris, and Ile Ronde (Round Island), all located near Praslin, but had become extinct there for a time until recently reintroduced.

The Aldabra giant tortoise (Aldabrachelys gigantea) is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae and genus Aldabrachelys. The species is endemic to the Seychelles, with the nominate subspecies, A. g. gigantea native to Aldabra atoll. It is one of the largest tortoises in the world. Historically, giant tortoises were found on many of the western Indian Ocean islands, as well as Madagascar, and the fossil record indicates giant tortoises once occurred on every continent and many islands with the exception of Australia and Antarctica.

40th ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE
5
RUPEES

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.585
Weight 0.5 g
Diameter 11 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
MDM

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