Description

A limited edition of a silver commemorative coin of Rs10 denomination in proof condition was issued in January 2000 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI).

The MCCI, established in 1850, is the oldest non-profit institution representing the private sector in Mauritius. With the increase in the island's volume of trade during the first decades of British administration, the Mauritian business community felt the need for a formal representational and arbitration framework to foster the interests of the trading community and to settle disputes and conflicts arising in trade-related activities. The present-day Chamber originally came into being as the 'Chamber of Commerce'. It took on its present name of 'MCCI' in 1965 when the country was moving towards independence and was contemplating the diversification of its economy through appropriate forms of industrial activities.

Obverse

Depicts a view of Port-Louis harbour, the Chien de Plomb, the Arms Square, and the Government House together with the Coat of Arms of the Republic of Mauritius with the country name above and denomination above.

The coat of arms of Mauritius was designed by the Mayor of Johannesburg in 1906, Johann Van Der Puf consists of a Dodo Bird and Sambur Deer which symbolize the extinct and present wildlife; they support two sugar canes indicating the importance of sugar for the local economy. In the lower right quarter is a key and on the left-hand side is a white star, which is referred to in the Latin motto “Stella Clavisque Maris Indici” meaning “Star and Key of the Indian Ocean".

Government House is one of the most historic buildings in Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius. Dubbed as the oldest building of the capital, it was built during the French colonization era and served as the residence of the first French governor of Mauritius. The construction of this building was supervised by the governor himself, and its architecture is typical of the period.

MAURITIUS
TEN RUPEES

Reverse

Depicts the emblem of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry enclosed by its name above and the inscriptions of the event with the date below, the motto of the chamber in Latin means NOT OURS BUT OUR COUNTRY.

MAURITIUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
NON NOBIS SED PATRIAE
150th Anniversary
25th January 2000

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 28.3 g
Diameter 38.6 mm
Thickness 3 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Paris Mint (A)

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