Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Ngwee 1982-1983, KM# 9a, Zambia
  • 1 Ngwee 1982-1983, KM# 9a, Zambia
Description

The name ngwee translates as "bright" in the Nyanja language.

Obverse

Kenneth Kaunda facing right, date below.

Kenneth David Buchizya Kaunda (born 28 April 1924), also known as KK, is a Zambian former politician who served as the first President of Zambia, from 1964 to 1991.

ZAMBIA
1983

Reverse

Aardvark, value below.

The aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is a medium-sized, burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. It has a long pig-like snout, which is used to sniff out food. It roams over most of the southern two-thirds of the African continent, avoiding areas that are mainly rocky. A nocturnal feeder, it subsists on ants and termites, which it will dig out of their hills using its sharp claws and powerful legs. It also digs to create burrows in which to live and rear its young. The name "aardvark" comes from earlier Afrikaans (erdvark) and means "earth pig" or "ground pig" (aarde: earth/ground, vark: pig), because of its burrowing habits.

In African folklore, the aardvark is much admired because of its diligent quest for food and its fearless response to soldier ants. Hausa magicians make a charm from the heart, skin, forehead, and nails of the aardvark, which they then proceed to pound together with the root of a certain tree. Wrapped in a piece of skin and worn on the chest, the charm is said to give the owner the ability to pass through walls or roofs at night. The charm is said to be used by burglars and those seeking to visit young girls without their parents' permission. The meat, which has a resemblance to pork, is eaten in certain cultures.

Engraver: Norman Sillman

1 ONE
NGWEE

Edge

1 Ngwee

KM# 9a
Characteristics
Material Copper Clad Steel
Weight 2.1 g
Diameter 17.5 mm
Thickness 1.45 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal

Related coins

Copper Clad Steel, 4.19 g, ⌀ 21.1 mm

Cupronickel, 2.8 g, ⌀ 19.4 mm

Cupronickel, 5.65 g, ⌀ 23.6 mm