10 Shillings Leo - empty leaves

Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has never received formal international recognition, leaving its currency — including this issue — in a peculiar position: legal tender within a functioning, self-administered state that does not officially exist in the eyes of the UN or any sovereign government. The "empty leaves" variety designation refers to a die difference in the wreath elements, distinguishing it from the filled-leaf strikes of the same type.