Forty shillings is a denomination absent from Kenya’s ordinary coin range: it was created for a single occasion. In 2003 Kenya marked 40 years of the independence proclaimed on 12 December 1963 and issued a bimetallic anniversary coin whose value matches the number of years.

The anniversary legend «COMMEMORATING 40 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1963-2003» runs around the ring together with the motto «HARAMBEE» and the denomination «FORTY SHILLINGS», with the national coat of arms in the centre. The occasion is repeated on the edge, which carries the incuse inscription «40 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE», so the coin bears its commemorative message even on its rim.

The other side shows the portrait of Mwai Kibaki with the legend «THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA H.E. MWAI KIBAKI». At the time of the anniversary he had been president for less than a year: Kibaki took the oath on 30 December 2002, still recovering from a car accident, succeeding Daniel arap Moi, who had ruled since 1978. Before that Kibaki had long headed the finance ministry and served as vice-president. After Kenyatta and Moi he became the third president whose portrait appeared on Kenyan coins, and catalogues list this as the only type bearing his image: in 2005 Kenyatta returned to the coinage, and the 2010 constitution banned portraits on the currency.

The coin was struck by the Royal Mint in Britain and was issued for circulation, not only for collectors. In a Kenya collection it is a key piece: the only 40-shilling denomination and the only coin of the Kibaki era to carry his portrait.

Grade UNC: the coin has never circulated, there is no wear, the mint lustre remains and the edge inscription reads in full; only minor marks from storage in bank bags are acceptable.

If you are just starting a collection, the VPcoins catalogue makes it easy to find coins to build it around.