4 Maloti - Moshoeshoe II

Lesotho's independence from Britain came on October 4, 1966, and this piece was struck to mark the occasion — one of several gold denominations issued simultaneously as the newly sovereign kingdom established its own coinage for the first time. The Fr#6 reference places it firmly within the pattern issues of that inaugural series, meaning it was never intended for general circulation and exists in extremely limited numbers.

Moshoeshoe II had been installed as paramount chief in 1960 and became king at independence, though his reign would prove turbulent — he was twice deposed by Prime Minister Leabua Jonathan and his successors before dying under disputed circumstances on Thaba-Bosiu in 1996.