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10 Maloti - Moshoeshoe II George Washington
| Issuer | Lesotho |
|---|---|
| Year | 1982 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Loti (1980-date) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Central field features the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Lesotho, comprising a shield bearing a crocodile, flanked by two rearing horses as supporters, with a Basotho hat and traditional weapons as crest above the shield. A scroll below the shield bears the national motto in the legend KHOTSO PULA NALA. The arc legend KINGDOM OF LESOTHO curves along the upper periphery, while the denomination 10 MALOTI appears along the lower periphery. The coin exhibits a proof-like mirrored field with finely milled border denticles. |
|---|---|
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| Edge | Reeded. |
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| Additional information |
This piece belongs to a curious genre of the early 1980s: sovereignty-asserting commemoratives issued by small nations through the Franklin Mint or similar contract minting arrangements, leveraging foreign historical subjects to attract collector revenue. Lesotho had limited domestic minting infrastructure and used these programs to generate hard currency. Washington's inclusion here has nothing to do with any bilateral relationship — he simply sold coins.
The .500 fineness is worth noting: half-silver issues of this type were a deliberate cost-cutting measure that kept face value credible while maximizing margin on collector sales.