2020-02-18 Tue

The Independence Day is a public holiday in The Gambia on 18th February. It is the National Day of The Gambia and marks independence from Britain on 18 February 1965.

Located on the west coast of Africa, The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa. Its first contact with Europeans was in the mid-15th century when Portuguese arrived and in early 1900s, Gambia became a British protectorate. During the 1950s political parties emerged. In 1960, elections were held under a new constitution, with the People’s Progressive Party.

David Jawara, emerged as a powerful voice and the dominant political party after further elections in 1962. Following agreements between the British and Gambian Governments in July 1964, The Gambia achieved independence as a constitutional monarchy on 18 February 1965, with Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor-general, as head of state and Jawara as the first prime minister.

The first banknotes Gambia were issued when Gambia was granted internal self-government in October 1963. The Gambian pound replaced the British West African pound in the colony. The new notes were issued with 10 shilling, £1 and £5 value.

The above note was issued 5th October 1964 which has a sailing boat with a forest background on the obverse and farmers working in the field are seen on the obverse. The Banknote depicts the denomination value in Numerals on the four corners of both obverse and reverse. These banknotes were produced for five years and were demonetized in the year 1970.

Image Courtesy: banknotes.com