Botswana 1-THEBE (KM3)¶
-
Reverse LOURIE (TURACO)
-
Obverse Coat of Arms
- Composition
- Aluminum
- Country
- Botswana
- Approx. Size
- 18.5mm
- Area
- Africa
- Animal Class
- Birds
- Species
- Grey Lourie (Turaco)
- KM#
- 3
The Zookeeper is going out on a limb and identifying this bird as a "Grey Lourie." Most coin collectors identify it as a Turako, which doesn't exist, but that is what the Krause catalogue calls it. There are, however, about 23 species of Turaco, although in South Africa the common name is Lourie. Approximately three species are resident in Botswana, including the Grey Lourie who looks exactly like this coin. (The other possibility is the colourful Knysna Lourie.)
Botswana¶
- Area
- Africa
The area of Botswana was orginally occupied by the Bushmen, who unfortunately are dying off. Migrations from the north and east in the early 17th century have resulted in most of the present day population. The area was united in the early 19th century to deal with incursion threats from neighbouring areas. By the late 19th century, the area -- known as Bechuanaland -- enlisted the aid of Britain who made it a British protectorate. The northern part of Bechuanaland remained under Britain's wing until it became the independent Republic of Botswana in 1966. Botswana is known as 'the Gem of Africa.'
