1 Shilling - Elizabeth II (2nd portrait)

The 1966 Gambian 1 Shilling coin marks a significant moment in the nation's monetary history, issued shortly after The Gambia achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1965. Produced during the country's transition to a new decimal-aligned currency system, these coins were minted by the Royal Mint to facilitate local commerce while maintaining a symbolic link to the British Commonwealth. The design reflects this post-colonial era, serving as a functional tool for national identity following decades of reliance on West African Currency Board issues.

The obverse of the coin features the second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Arnold Machin. Machin’s rendition, which depicts the Queen wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara, was widely adopted across Commonwealth nations during the 1960s for its elegant, idealized profile. The reverse side, crafted to highlight local themes, reinforces the Gambian aesthetic of the period. The coin was well-received as a stable circulating medium and remains a sought-after piece for numismatists focusing on the brief period of Gambian coinage before the adoption of the Dalasi in 1971.