Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 5 Cents 1956-1978, KM# 34, Mauritius, Elizabeth II
  • 5 Cents 1956-1978, KM# 34, Mauritius, Elizabeth II
Description

British Mauritius was a British crown colony. Formerly part of the French colonial empire, the crown colony of Mauritius was established after a British invasion in 1810 and the subsequent Treaty of Paris that followed. It later gained independence as a Commonwealth realm on 12 March 1968.

Obverse

First crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the stylized heraldic Tudor Crown.

The Tudor Crown, also known as the King's Crown or Imperial Crown, is a widely used symbol in heraldry of the United Kingdom. While various crown symbols had been used for this purpose for many years previously, the specific Tudor Crown design was standardised at the request of Edward VII. It was never intended to represent any actual physical crown, although in shape it bears a close resemblance to the small diamond crown of Queen Victoria.

Upon the accession of Elizabeth II, she requested the design to be replaced with a representation of the St Edward's Crown (with depressed arches) which she wore at her coronation. Many, though not all, of the derived designs around the world were updated to match.

This portrait appeared on the obverse of the coins of Britain's colonies and dependencies (including Jersey), while only Britain and the Dominions (Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa) were allowed to use the uncrowned effigy.

Engraver: Cecil Thomas

QUEEN ELIZABETH THE SECOND

Reverse

Large value in the middle, mint mark below digit (SA) within beaded circle, country name above and value in letters with date below.

* MAURITIUS *
5
FIVE·CENTS·1978

Edge

5 Cents

1st portrait, British colony
KM# 34 Schön# 33
Characteristics
Material Bronze
Weight 9.7 g
Diameter 28.4 mm
Thickness 2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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