The coconut palm on the Maldivian 1 laari was struck from 1984 without any change of design, and this 2012 piece is a late date of that long-lived type. In the same year the Maldives Monetary Authority redesigned the 5 and 10 laari in a smaller size, while the lowest denomination kept its familiar look.

The coconut palm within a circle is the same image that stands at the heart of the national emblem, where it represents the livelihood of the islanders. Beside it are two dates: «2012» in the Gregorian calendar and «١٤٣٣», the year 1433 of the Hijri lunar calendar. Below sits «MMA», the issuer’s mark. The coin was struck by the Royal Mint in Britain.

The type belongs to the FAO issues of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. For a collection of Maldivian laari it is a natural companion to the pieces of the 1980s.

UNC grade: the coin never circulated, shows no wear and keeps its mint lustre; only minor bag marks from bank storage are acceptable.

More coins from this country and this era are waiting in the VPcoins catalogue.