Sierra Leone

Province of Freedom (1787-1789, 1791-1799) Sierra Leone Colony (1799-1808), Colony and Protectorate of Sierra Leone (1808-1961), Sierra Leone (1961-1971), Republic of Sierra Leone (1971-present)

British Colony (1787-1961), Independent Country (1961-present)

Location: West Africa

Capital City: Granville Town (1787-1789, 1791-1792), Freetown (1792-present)

Government type: British Colony (1787-1789, 1791-1961), Constitutional Monarchy (1961-1971), Republic (1971-present)

Main languages: English, Krio, Mende, Temne

Main religions: Sunni Islam, Protestant Christianity

Chronology

1787: Province of Freedom established as a settlement for freed slaves (similar to neighboring Liberia)

1789-1791: Abandoned

1799: Crown Colony

1951: Self-government granted

1961: Independence from Britain

1971: Republic established

1991-2002: Sierra Leone Civil War

Currency

Dollar (1791-1830)

1 Dollar = 100 Cents = 240 Pence

First Leone (1964-2023)

1 Leone = 100 Cents

Second Leone (2023-present)

1 Leone = 100 Cents

Coins from Sierra Leone in the collection

Commonwealth Realm (1961-1971)

•5 Cent, 1964 (Queen Elizabeth II (1952-1971), cupronickel, London mint, KM#18)

•10 Cent, 1964 (Queen Elizabeth II (1952-1971), cupronickel, London mint, KM#19)

Republic (1971-present)

•50 Cent, 1980 (cupronickel, Llantrisant mint, KM#25, proof)

•10 Leone, 1996 (nickel-plated steel, Utrecht mint, KM#44)

Banknotes from Sierra Leone in the collection

Republic (1971-present)

•1 Leone, 1984 (P#5)

•5 Leone, 1985 (P#7)