Mauritius 1500 Rupees 2009

History

1500 Rupees 2009, KM# 67, Mauritius, Father of the Nation Platinum Series, State House - Le Réduit

Obverse. Photo © Bank of Mauritius

Description

A platinum commemorative coin of Rs1500 denomination in proof condition has been issued on 30 October 2009. It is the first coin issued in the "Father of the Nation" Platinum series to pay tribute to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam in laying the foundation stone of the Mauritian nation.

Mauritius gained independence from the United Kingdom on 12 March 1968. The independence process was the culmination of a long struggle involving a number of political parties. Most notably the Mauritius Labour Party (MLP) and the Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate (PMSD).

In 1960, Harold Macmillan had made his famous "Wind of Change Speech" in the Parliament of South Africa in Cape Town in which he acknowledged that the best option for Britain was to give complete independence to its colonies. Thus, since the late fifties, the way was paved for independence. The General Election was held in 1967 with the pro-independence coalition of political parties winning 54% of the vote. Following the 1967 election the newly formed Mauritian government government was formed and passed an independence bill in the Mauritian Parliament.: 102 Mauritius experienced a period of instability in the days running up to the declaration resulting in the 1968 Mauritian riots before order was restored by the British authorities. On 12 March 1968 independence was officially declared at a ceremony at the Champ de Mars Racecourse.

Obverse	Device and tools (watch, compass, telescope etc.) Glasses Person (politician, revolutionary, entrepreneur) Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Bust of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam facing right enclosed by his name. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (1900–1985) was a Mauritian politician, statesman and philanthropist. He was a leader in the Mauritian independence movement, and served as the first Chief Minister and Prime Minister of Mauritius, as well as its sixth Governor-General. He was the Chairperson of the Organisation of African Unity from 1976 to 1977. As the leader of the Labour Party, Ramgoolam fought for the rights of labourers and led Mauritius to independence in 1968. As Mauritius' first Prime Minister, he played a crucial role in shaping modern Mauritius' government, political culture and foreign policy. He worked for the emancipation of the Mauritian population, established free universal education and free health care services, and introduced old age pensions. He is known as the "Father of the Nation". His son, Navin Ramgoolam, has had three terms as Prime Minister of Mauritius. DR THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR SEEWOOSAGUR RAMGOOLAM KT
Reverse	Construction (building, bridge etc.) Official residence (presidential palace, state house etc.) Depicts the State House, with the value "Rs1500" underneath within a circle surrounded by the inscription of series, country name, and place. Le Réduit, the official residence of the former Governors and Governors-General of Mauritius, was also known as Government House from 1810 until 1992. Since then, it has been called State House and is the official residence of the President of Mauritius. The State House (French: Le Château de Réduit) is the official residence of the President of Mauritius. Originally Le Réduit, it was built as a fortress for defence against attack by Pierre Félix Barthelemy David in 1749. The mansion is in Réduit, Moka, near of the University of Mauritius and the end of the Plaines Wilhems District. It used to serve as the residence for former governors of Mauritius, but now it is the residence of the President. It is built on 97 hectares (240 acres) of land. The château has a garden where a multitude of flowers grow, as well as exotic and native trees. The château is open to the public two days a year, in October and March. The house has persisted through history; it was destroyed by a cyclone, rebuilt, and has been renovated since. It is also used by the military. FATHER OF THE NATION PLATINUM SERIES * MAURITIUS 2009 * Rs 1500 STATE HOUSE - REDUIT
Edge	Reeded (milled)