The Lion
As the undisputed King of the Jungle, the African lion is one of the biggest cats around.
With only 20,000 left in the wild, they are seen as a vulnerable species by the WWF.
There’s a legend that claims that Sierra Leone got its name when a Portuguese explorer was sailing along the coast and heard lions roaring on the mountains close to the shore, founding the lands as the “Lion Mountains”. This name took on a few changes over the course of history, becoming the Spanish version of Lioness Mountain which is Sierra Leona and ended up misspelt to what it is now.
Real lions are far harder to find in Sierra Leone, so for more chance of seeing one, head east to the Pendjari National Park which borders Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. For a guaranteed sighting, Pobjoy have released a rare Big 5 Lion Coin for coin collectors and lion lovers alike to collect.
Pobjoy Mint is delighted to announce the release of a brand new 2022 silver reverse frosted bullion coin featuring the Lion, King of the African Savannah. The coin is the first of its kind issued on behalf of the Bank of Sierra Leone.
The design on the coin features the head of a Lion styled as though it is an African mask with a special rim featuring an African pattern.
Featuring a Lion as the first silver bullion coin from Sierra Leone seem particularly apt since the name Sierra Leone means ‘Lion Mountains’ or ‘Mountains of Lions’. Pedro de Sintra was among the first European explorers in this area and upon approaching the coast he heard lions roaring in the mountains and gave it the name ‘Serra Lyoa’ in Portuguese, which translates Sierra Leone.
The Lion is the world’s second-largest cat, a male lion can be 3.3 meters in length (which does not include his tail) and weigh up to 25 kilos. Most safari sightings are of cats sleeping in the shade as lions are more active at night when they hunt for their prey. This powerful big cat has been the subject of many famous films – Born Free; The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lion King. Bullion coins are always a very attractive purchase due to their intrinsic metal value and with this design featuring a new enhanced reverse cameo finish, it is an even more attractive purchase. In order to maintain the exclusivity of this piece, no more than 5,000 of the 1oz Fine 999. Silver Reverse Frosted Bullion coins will be produced. Approved by Buckingham Palace this coin carries an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II exclusively by Pobjoy Mint, which also features a frosted background. A silver bullion privy mark “P” is also present which is unique to Pobjoy Mint reverse frosted bullion coins.