Brief Gambian History
Most of Gambia's population work for peanuts, which constitute 95% of its exports by value. Previously its chief industry was slave trading , which should serve to remind us that working for peanuts is better than some of the alternatives. Gambia occupies a 200 mile long strip of land in west Africa along both sides of the Gambia River. Apart from a coastal strip at the junction of the river with the North Atlantic Ocean, it is completely surrounded by Senegal, with which it was once joined.
From its discovery by the Portuguese in the fifteenth century it was part of Mali, but was bought by the British in 1588, and the first colony Fort James was established in 1664. At one time it was united with Sierra Leone, but became a British Colony in 1888, achieving independence in 1965 as a constitutional monarcy within the British Commonwealth. It became a republic in 1970, remaining in the Commonwealth. It formed a confederation with Senegal in 1982, but this was disolved after a military junta took control of Gambia in 1994, although it has nominally returned to civilian rule in 1996.

Gambian Gold Coins
Gambia shared the coinage of British West Africa with Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and Gold Coast (now Ghana) from 1907 until 1966, when it issued its own coins. Gambia's has only issued gold coins since 1995, and these are all commemoratives.

Tender Lassies
Although the lowest value gold coin issued is a 20 dalasis, a 10 dalasis coin is issued in base metal. Whether this harks back to the old slave trade days when the price of tender lassies was ten dalasis, we can only guess.

Dalasis - Dollars
We also guess that the word dalasis derives from a local dialect pronunciation of the word dollar, and therefore also from thaler as in Joachimasthaler. If anybody has any further knowledge on this point, we would appreciate your contribution.

Descriptions
1989 1,000 Dalasis Save the Children Fund
Obverse
The obverse features the President Alhaji Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara, and the inscription:-
REPUBLIC OF THE GAMBIA - 1989
Reverse
The reverse shows a young Gambian boy watering the family vegetable patch. the legend reads:-
THE SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND
1000 DALASIS

Technical Specifications

Denomination	Diameter	Weight	Fineness	Gold Content
150 Dalasis	25	7.776	.5833	.1458
1,000 Dalasis	25.00	10.00	.917	.2947

Notes on Table
Diameter = Diameter in millimetres.
Weight = Gross weight in grams.
Fineness = purity of gold alloy.
Gold Content = Actual gold content in troy ounces.

Prices & Availability
Please telephone for current prices and availability.
The $ prices are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

Date	Denom	Description	Grade	Mintage	Availability	Price £	Price $
1989	1,000 Dalasis	Save the Children Fund	Proof	3,000	Yes	£99	$190
1996	150 Dalasis	The Queen Mother Lady of the Century Series; 1936 Year of the Three Kings	Proof	5,000	Yes	£95	$145

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping $20 per order

Gambian Silver and Base Metal Coins
For silver and base metal coins of Gambia, please look at our original Chard Coins website.

Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including Gambian gold coins. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.