Central Bank of Swaziland

The problem of all the old coins meant the CBS needed to develop new standards that will bring logical progression in size and weight across all classes of denominations, avoiding conflict with coins from neighbouring countries and enabling better recognition by visually impaired persons.

The new coins series enables retailers, businesses and banks to increase significantly their efficiencies in cash handling resulting in reduced costs in the long run for the benefit of the general public.

The coins have been designed to meet all four key objectives the Bank strive to achieve when issuing currency which are,

a. Currency should be issued economically (reduce negative seniorage)
b. Currency should be aesthetically pleasing
c. Currency should be secure against that of neighbouring countries, and
d. Currency should be secure against counterfeiting
e. Currency should cater for the needs of every member of the public including visually impaired persons.

Our brand new family of Swazi coins display bold new designs with their rich symbols and images, all the coin, from the 10 cents to the 5 Emalangeni, shows a portrait of our King – King Mswati III on the obverse. He is wearing the royal insignia, ligwalangwala, and ligcebesha, the traditional necklace. The reverse sides of our coins depict our rich Swazi heritage.

On the 10 cents, there is sugar cane, one of our most important crops. The majestic elephant graces the 20 cents coin, while on the 50 cents there is the Swazi Coat of Arms, where the lion represents the King; the elephant, the Queen Mother. Both support a Nguni shield, symbolising protection.

On the 1 Lilangeni coin is the portrait of the Queen Mother. On the 2 Emalangeni there is an arum lily flower. The 5 Emalangeni coin, also displays the Swazi Coat of Arms.

The introduction of the new coin series and demonetisation of the old coins was met with conflicting reactions from stakeholders;

*Cabinet ministers and Ministry of Finance

They contributed in the designing of the coins and approval.

*Commercial Banks, vending machines and payphones operators, parking meter operators

They were uneasy at first about the the new coins due to the administrative burden of machine calibration. After the awareness campaign they were receptive as the new coins are easily manageable due to having a single coin per denomination.

*Retailers and Cashiers

They are enthusiastic about the new coins series as this will make it easier for coins management.

*Visually impaired

They were involved from design stage of the coins and contributed on the features for the visually impaired.

*Public

The public started being receptive to the coins after the public engagements and are in awe of the aesthetic nature of the coins.

The coins were designed to meet all key objectives the Bank strive to achieve when issuing currency, one of which is that Currency should be aesthetically pleasing.

The new coins are aesthetically pleasing, with the lower denominations made with stainless steel alloy and the higher denominations are made with aluminium bronze alloy. All coins are portable, shiny and do not lose colour over time. They are also smooth to the touch.

10c- Made with stainless steel alloy, the smallest in size of the lower denominations. It has smooth edges.
20c- Made with stainless steel alloy, the second smallest in size of the lower denominations. It has smooth edges.
50c- Made withstainless steel alloy, the biggest in size of the lower denominations. It has smooth edges.
E1- Made with aluminium bronze alloy, the smallest in size of the higher denominations. It has fully serrated edges.
E2- Made with aluminium bronze alloy, the second smallest in size of the higher denominations. It has fully serrated edges.
E5- Made with aluminium bronze alloy, the biggest in size of the higher denominations. It has fully serrated edges.