Zambia used to be a British colony prior to 1964 and are still part of the Commonwealth. The coins she appear on are all commemorative coins. She is not any any coins in general circulation.
Australia and Canada are both independent and they still have Queen Elizabeth II on their normal circulation coins.
They are a republic but still part of the commonwealth. They take part in the commonwealth games. It seems a strange circumstance but perhaps that is reflected by the fact that not all their coins have the queen on them, only some of the commemoratives.
I know they aren't a commonwealth realm or British possession, and she hasn't been queen of that nation since it was called Northern Rhodesia; that's why I think it's strange they would choose to put Her majesty on their coins. I just didn't think many republics put monarchs on their coins. Maybe it's because she's Head of the Commonwealth?
I've been looking over newer African coins on Numista (I don't know too much about commemorative coins, especially African ones) and I see that a few other countries do it too. I still don't get why though.
I do agree with you. I have always found it odd that Canada, New Zealand and Australia still put England's queen on their coins. I am originally from South Africa and you would certainly not find her on any South African coins since independence.
There are different levels of Commonwealth membership: you do not need to be a constitutional monarchy to get in (which is why the republic of India is a member, for example).
Quote: nalaberongThere are different levels of Commonwealth membership: you do not need to be a constitutional monarchy to get in (which is why the republic of India is a member, for example).
Yeah, I know. I believe India was the first republic nation in the Commonwealth?
They put her on recognising we as head of the commonwealth. Gambia did it.. But never had her name on the coins same as some Pacific islands like Tokelau.
Quote: Mark240590They put her on recognising we as head of the commonwealth. Gambia did it.. But never had her name on the coins same as some Pacific islands like Tokelau.
Yes, and American coins still have the Queen too, right? The truth is nuanced. The British Commonwealth has got:
- 16 "realms" that have QEII as head of state
- 32 republics
- 5 monarchies with a monarch who is not QEII
Zambia is a republic... I think it's because NCLT is outsourced to who knows where and that mint is just used to putting the queen's head on their tacky commemoratives.
Quote: nalaberongYes, and American coins still have the Queen too, right? The truth is nuanced. The British Commonwealth has got:
- 16 "realms" that have QEII as head of state
- 32 republics
- 5 monarchies with a monarch who is not QEII
Zambia is a republic... I think it's because NCLT is outsourced to who knows where and that mint is just used to putting the queen's head on their tacky commemoratives.
If you mean America as in the USA, then:
Er.... No....
Quote: nalaberongYes, and American coins still have the Queen too, right? The truth is nuanced. The British Commonwealth has got:
- 16 "realms" that have QEII as head of state
- 32 republics
- 5 monarchies with a monarch who is not QEII
Zambia is a republic... I think it's because NCLT is outsourced to who knows where and that mint is just used to putting the queen's head on their tacky commemoratives.
Can you break this down a little more for me? What exactly is "the Commonwealth"?
Taking a break from swapping for a while, but still interested in pre 1799 Spanish coins, I will make time for that!
The commonwealth of nations
Formerly:
The British Commonwealth
Basically former colonies which can share discounted trades with each other and such like a bit like the EU or UN I guess but is an exclusive club !
QuoteIf you mean America as in the USA, then:
Er.... No....
Sorry, I was using figurative language to make a point.
The USA used to be a British colony = the USA left the British Empire completely...
Therefore, not every former British colony still loves the Queen...
Therefore if I say something that everyone should know to be untrue (the USA is a monarchy) it's one of those effective examples with sarcasm included.
Quote: SpookieI do agree with you. I have always found it odd that Canada, New Zealand and Australia still put England's queen on their coins. I am originally from South Africa and you would certainly not find her on any South African coins since independence.
Lizzie is still the head of state of Australia, New Zealand and Canada, any country with a governor general still has the queen as the head of state and therefore she goes on the coins. I'd much rather see Lizzie on the coins than the ugly mug of our joke of a prime minster.
Yes, I pity anyone who has to engrave Stephen Harper's face into anything (the nose... the nose!)... and our current Governor General is the equally forgettable David Johnston.
Fun fact: I was at Parliament Hill the day before Canada Day (which is July 1), and the whole stage was set up - so I watched them practice for tomorrow's show. The Governor General was going to do a speech, but they couldn't find him to rehearse, so they just sent up some random person with full pomp and circumstance to deliver the line "Insert speech here", followed by an applause soundtrack! It was surreal.
Ah yeah, Mozambique got in because of some alliance with South Africa didn't it ? Don't know about Rwanda. I don't think it should expand. It's wrong !
