Malawi 10 Kwacha 2006

History

10 Kwacha 2006, Malawi, 80th Anniversary of Birth of Elizabeth II

Obverse. Photo © Cambridgeshire Coins

Description

Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 80th birthday in 2006 with many special events and activities. In the month prior to her birthday on 21st April, she had travelled to Australia for a visit which included opening the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. A commemorative 50c was issued for the occasion of this special milestone, her 80th birthday.

Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 1926–2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and of 14 other Commonwealth realms. Her reign of 70 years and seven months, which began on 6 February 1952, was the longest of any British monarch in history.

When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonisation of Africa, and the United Kingdom's accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. The number of her realms varied over time as territories have gained independence and some realms have become republics.

Times of personal significance have included the births and marriages of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, her coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively.

Obverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Lion, Leopard Coat of arms Malawi Depicts the coat of arms of Malawi dividing the date, country name above and denomination below. Malawi's coat of arms is based on Nyasaland's earlier heraldic arms. It features a shield supported by a lion and a leopard, standing on a representation of Mount Mulanje. The shield is divided into three parts: wavy lines symbolizing water, a central stripe with a lion representing strength, and a rising sun, symbolizing hope and new beginnings. Above the shield is a fish eagle in front of a rising sun, symbolizing freedom. The scroll below the shield bears the national motto, "Unity and Freedom," reflecting Malawi's goals of harmony and independence. REPUBLIC OF MALAWI 20 06 UNITY AND FREEDOM 10 KWACHA
Reverse	British royal family Birth or death Crown, jewelry Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Elizabeth II Depicts a crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing three-quarter right, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, H.M. name above and inscription of occasion below. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara was a wedding present in 1947 from her grandmother, Queen Mary, who received it as a gift from the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland in 1893 on the occasion of her marriage to the Duke of York, later George V. Made by E. Wolfe & Co., it was purchased from Garrard & Co. by a committee organised by Lady Eve Greville. In 1914, Mary adapted the tiara to take 13 diamonds in place of the large oriental pearls surmounting the tiara. At first, Elizabeth wore the tiara without its base and pearls but the base was reattached in 1969. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara is one of Elizabeth's most recognisable pieces of jewellery due to its widespread use on British banknotes and coinage. H.M. QUEEN ELIZABETH II 80th BIRTHDAY
Edge	Reeded (milled)