Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 5 Shillings 2005, KM# 19, Somaliland, Republic
  • 5 Shillings 2005, KM# 19, Somaliland, Republic
Description

Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is a self-declared state internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia.

Obverse

Depicts a female African bush elephant walking to the right with a small elephant calf by her side, text around, date below.

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant, is the largest elephant of the animal kingdom. It can weigh from 8,800 to 15,400 pounds, making it the heaviest terrestrial mammal species. On average, males are 3.2 meters (10.5 ft) tall at the shoulder and 6 tons (6.6 short tons) in weight, while females are relatively smaller at 2.6 meters (8.5 ft) tall at the shoulder and 3 tons (3.3 short tons) in weight. Elephants attain their maximum stature when they complete the fusion of long-bone epiphyses, occurring in males around the age of 40 and females around the age of 25. Their large size means that they must consume around 50 gallons of water everyday in order to stay hydrated. These elephants are known for being hunted for their tusks, ears, feet, and meat, so the population of bush elephants in the world have been increasingly declining.

REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND
2005

Reverse

The face value, the slash and dash representing the word "shillings", as in British contexts, surrounded by the texted value and the title of the Bank of Somaliland in Somali above.

♥ BAANKA SOMALILAND ♥
5/-
FIVE SOMALILAND SHILLINGS

Edge
Characteristics
Material Aluminium
Weight 1.24 g
Diameter 22 mm
Thickness 1.1 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Pobjoy Mint (PM)

Related coins

Aluminium, 1.45 g, ⌀ 21.9 mm

Aluminium, 1.45 g, ⌀ 21.9 mm