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British West Africa Coins
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Obverse of 1936 British West Africa Edward VIII Halfpenny
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Countries
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Reverse of 1936 British West Africa Edward VIII Halfpenny
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British West Africa
British West Africa was the collective name for British colonies in West Africa during the colonial period, either in the general geographical sense or more specifically those comprised in a formal colonial administrative entity. The United Kingdom colonised varying parts of these territories or the whole from the late 1780s until the 1960s.
British West Africa or the British West African Settlements constituted during two periods (17 October 1821 until its first dissolution on 13 January 1850 and again 19 February 1866 till its final demise on 24 November 1888) an administrative entity under a governor-in-chief (comparable in rank to a Governor-general), an office vested in the governor of Sierra Leone (at Freetown) .
The other colonies originally included in the jurisdiction were the Gambia and the British Gold Coast (modern Ghana). Nigeria as a whole never was, but since the re-constitution in 1866 its nucleus, Lagos territory, was.
Even after its final dissolution, a single currency, the West African Pound, was in effect throughout the region -including Nigeria- from 1907 to 1962.
Nigeria gained independence in 1960. Sierra Leone was self-governing by 1958 and gained independence in 1960. The Gambia gained independence in 1965. In 1954, the British Gold Coast was allowed by Britain to self-govern and in 1957, the Gold Coast was given independence from Britain, under the name Ghana.
Edward VIII
British West Africa and British East Africa were the only two countries which, in 1936, issued circulation coinage in the name of Edward VIII, although none of these bore his portrait.
We show a 1936 halfpenny.
Postage & Packing:
UK: At buyer's Risk £2.50 or
Fully Insured £6 (Usually by Royal Mail Special Delivery)
USA: Airmail at buyer's risk $10 or
Fully Insured $20
For further details, please see our Postage & Packing page.
Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including Ghanaian coins. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.
Order Form - UK
Order Form - USA
Order Form - EU
Order Form - Rest of World
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...at the Official Issue Prices
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