{"title":"Lesotho","description":"\u003cp\u003eLesotho maloti banknotes from the Central Bank of Lesotho, with the kingdom's kings, Basotho herd boys in mokorotlo hats and mountain waterfalls.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNotes from the mountain kingdom that lies entirely inside South Africa.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout Lesotho banknotes\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLesotho introduced its own currency, the loti (plural maloti), in 1980. It is pegged one to one to the South African rand, which also circulates in the country. The notes show the kings of Lesotho, from the founder Moshoeshoe I to Moshoeshoe II and Letsie III, together with the national coat of arms and its motto \"Khotso, Pula, Nala\" (Peace, Rain, Prosperity), and scenes of Basotho life and the Maloti mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSee also: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/africa\"\u003eAfrican banknotes\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/south-africa\"\u003eSouth Africa\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/swaziland\"\u003eEswatini (Swaziland)\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the currency of Lesotho?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe loti, plural maloti, divided into 100 lisente. It has been issued since 1980 and is worth the same as the South African rand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWho is King Moshoeshoe I?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe founder of the Basotho nation in the early 19th century, who defended his people from the mountain stronghold of Thaba Bosiu.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the hat on Lesotho banknotes?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe mokorotlo, the cone-shaped woven straw hat that is a national symbol of the Basotho and also appears on the country's flag.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAre your Lesotho banknotes genuine?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Every Lesotho note we sell is a genuine banknote, never a copy or replica. Each listing states the grade, gives the Pick catalogue number and shows the front and back, and every order ships tracked from Hungary.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lesotho-5-maloti-1989-p-10a-xf-king-moshoeshoe-ii-collectible-banknote","title":"Lesotho 5 Maloti 1989 P-10a XF – King Moshoeshoe II","description":"\u003cp\u003e📸 \u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e We have many of these banknotes in stock. The exact serial numbers and specific wear patterns will vary from the photographs, but the described condition and overall quality remain exactly the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA 1989 Lesotho 5 Maloti with King Moshoeshoe II, printed just a year before the king was sent into exile. On the back, the Maletsunyane Falls, one of the highest single-drop waterfalls in southern Africa.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📦 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded Banknote:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e1989 Lesotho 5 Maloti (P-10a)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📖 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory and Significance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLesotho, the mountain kingdom completely surrounded by South Africa, introduced the loti (plural maloti) in 1980; it is pegged one to one to the South African rand. Moshoeshoe II became king at independence in 1966. In 1990 the military government stripped him of his powers and he went into exile, and his son reigned as Letsie III. He was restored to the throne in 1995, but died in a car accident in January 1996. This 1989 note, printed by De La Rue, is from the series issued shortly before his exile.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🎨 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFront: portrait of King Moshoeshoe II in glasses, the coat of arms of Lesotho with the motto \"Khotso, Pula, Nala\" (Peace, Rain, Prosperity) and Basotho geometric patterns. Back: the Maletsunyane Falls and the legend \"Maloti a mahlano\" (five maloti).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🔍 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumismatic Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 128 × 64 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Circulation banknote\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurrency:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lesotho loti\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lesotho\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIssuing Authority:\u003c\/strong\u003e Central Bank of Lesotho\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1989\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e De La Rue, London\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✅ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Guide:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXF (Extremely Fine).\u003c\/strong\u003e A bright, crisp note with very light signs of handling, such as a light fold or minor corner wear, and no heavy creases or stains. As we hold multiple examples, the note you receive may differ slightly from the one photographed, but will be in the same grade.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Extreme Banknotes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61380159996238,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/8647\/3806\/files\/Lesotho_5_Maloti_1989_P-10a_XF_1_front_back.jpg?v=1793034077"},{"product_id":"lesotho-20-maloti-2001-p-16c-unc-king-moshoeshoe-i-collectible-banknote","title":"Lesotho 20 Maloti 2001 P-16c UNC – King Moshoeshoe I","description":"\u003cp\u003e📸 \u003cstrong\u003ePlease Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e We have many of these banknotes in stock. The exact serial numbers and specific wear patterns will vary from the photographs, but the described condition and overall quality remain exactly the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing Moshoeshoe I, the founder of the Basotho nation, sits in full regalia on this uncirculated 2001 Lesotho 20 Maloti. The back shows a Basotho herd boy in the cone-shaped mokorotlo hat, cattle and huts below the Maloti mountains.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e⚡ \u003cstrong\u003eExtreme Index: 5.1 \/ 10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhy it's extreme:\u003c\/em\u003e The founder of the Basotho nation, seated in full regalia, on the scarcer 2001 date of this design.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistory \u0026amp; drama (30%):\u003c\/strong\u003e 5\/10\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScarcity (25%):\u003c\/strong\u003e 4.9\/10 (Numista rarity index 36\/100)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWow factor (20%):\u003c\/strong\u003e 5\/10\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAge (15%):\u003c\/strong\u003e 3\/10\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition (10%):\u003c\/strong\u003e 9\/10\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Extreme Index is Extreme Banknotes' own collector score based on history, scarcity, curiosity, age and condition — it is not a valuation or investment rating.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📦 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded Banknote:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e2001 Lesotho 20 Maloti (P-16c)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e📖 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory and Significance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMoshoeshoe I (about 1786–1870) united the Basotho clans in the early 19th century and defended them from his mountain stronghold of Thaba Bosiu; he later placed the kingdom under British protection, which is why Lesotho survived as an independent country surrounded by South Africa. This 20 Maloti design, printed by De La Rue, was issued with several dates from 1994 to 2009. The 2001 date, signed by Governor Stephen Swaray, is Pick 16c and is one of the less common dates: Numista gives the type a rarity index of 36.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🎨 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFront: King Moshoeshoe I seated with a staff and leopard-skin, the coat of arms of Lesotho with the motto \"Khotso, Pula, Nala\", and a maize plant. Back: a Basotho herd boy in a mokorotlo hat with cattle near huts below the mountains, with the legend \"Maloti a mashome a mabeli\" (twenty maloti).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🔍 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumismatic Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e About 138 × 70 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Circulation banknote\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurrency:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lesotho loti\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lesotho\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIssuing Authority:\u003c\/strong\u003e Central Bank of Lesotho\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2001\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Governor Stephen M. Swaray\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e De La Rue, London\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✅ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Guide:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUNC (Uncirculated).\u003c\/strong\u003e A crisp, uncirculated note with no folds, creases or handling marks, retaining its original sheen and sharp corners. As we hold multiple examples, the note you receive may differ slightly from the one photographed, but will be in the same grade.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Extreme Banknotes","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":61380160553294,"sku":null,"price":14.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/8647\/3806\/files\/Lesotho_20_Maloti_2001_P-16c_UNC_1_front_back.jpg?v=1793034077"}],"url":"https:\/\/extremebanknotes.com\/collections\/lesotho.oembed","provider":"Extreme Banknotes","version":"1.0","type":"link"}