1 Dalasi

The Gambia gained independence from Britain in 1965 but retained the British West African pound until 1971, when the dalasi was introduced as the country's first sovereign decimal currency. This coin belongs to that inaugural issue — the first series ever struck for the new monetary system. Production was handled by the Royal Mint, a practical holdover from the colonial relationship that continued well into the post-independence period.

The 1971 series was not struck in large numbers, reflecting the Gambia's small population at the time of roughly 500,000.