Botswana pula

Infobox Currency
image_1 = 2pula.png image_title_1 = Obverse of 2 pula (1980s)
image_2 = 2pulab.png image_title_2 = Reverse of 2 pula (1980s)
iso_code = BWP
using_countries = flag|Botswana
inflation_rate = 8.4%
inflation_source_date = [http://www.bankofbotswana.bw/article.php?articleid=1944 Bank of Botswana] , 19 February 2008
inflation_method = CPI
subunit_ratio_1 = 1/100
subunit_name_1 = thebe
symbol = P
used_coins = 5, 10, 25, 50 thebe, 1, 2, 5 pula
used_banknotes = 10, 20, 50, and 100 pula
issuing_authority = Bank of Botswana
issuing_authority_website = www.bankofbotswana.bwThe pula is the currency of Botswana. It has the ISO 4217 code "BWP" and is subdivided into 100 "thebe". Pula literally means "rain" in Setswana, because rain is very scarce in Botswana - home to much of the Kalahari Desert - and therefore valuable. Pula also means "blessing" as rain is a blessing to these desert people. Thebe means "shield".

History

The pula was introduced in 1976, replacing the South African rand at par. Despite a 12% devaluation in May 2005, the pula remains one of the strongest currencies in Africa.

Coins

In 1976, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 thebe and 1 pula. The 1 thebe was struck in aluminium, with the 5 thebe in bronze and the others in cupro-nickel. These coins were round except for the scalloped 1 pula. Bronze, dodecagonal 2 thebe coins were introduced in 1981, but discontinued after 1985. In 1991, bronze-plated steel replaced bronze in the 5 thebe, nickel-plated steel replaced cupro-nickel in the 10, 25 and 50 thebe and the 1 pula changed to a smaller, nickel-brass, equilateral-curve seven-sided coin. A similarly shaped, nickel-brass 2 pula was introduced in 1994. In 1998, following the withdrawal of the 1 and 2 thebe, smaller 5, 10, 25 and 50 thebe coins were introduced, with the 5 and 25 thebe coins being seven-sided and the 10 and 50 thebe coins remaining round. A bimetallic 5 pula was introduced in 2000 composed of a copper-nickel center in a brass ring.

Banknotes

In 1976, the Bank of Botswana introduced notes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 pula. The 1 and 2 pula notes were replaced by coins in 1991 and 1994, whilst 50 and 100 pula notes were introduced in 1992 and 1993, respectively. The 5 pula note was replaced by a coin in 2000. According to a press release [cite web | author=Nachthund on behalf of Bank of Botswana | date=2006-02-06 | url=http://www.nachthund.biz/CatalogUpdate/Botswana/BOT0706-01.html | title= Demonetization of P1, P2 and P5 Banknotes| accessdate=2006-07-31] , the old 1, 2 and 5 pula banknotes were demonetized on July 1, 2006, but can be exchanged at the central bank for 5 years.

ee also

* Economy of Botswana

References

*numis cite SCWC|date=1991
*numis cite SCWPM|date=1994

External links

Standard numismatics external links
world_coin_gallery_1_url = Botswana
world_coin_gallery_1_name = Botswana
banknote_world_1_url = botswana
banknote_world_1_name = Botswana
dollarization_1_url = bw
dollarization_1_name = Botswana
gfd_1_url = Botswana
gfd_1_name = Botswana
gfd_data_1_url =
gfd_data_1_name =
show_gfd_excel = Y