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Bechuanaland was divided between the Bechuanaland Protectorate and British Bechuanaland (see South Africa). The Bechuanaland Protectorate became a crown colony of Great Britain from September 1, 1885 after the discovery of gold nearby. It gained self-government in 1965 and gained its independence on September 30, 1966.

Botswana used the Pound Sterling (GBP), including British coins, until 1920 when the South African Pound was introduced. The South African Pound became legal tender in 1932 and South African coins replaced British coins in 1933. Rhodesian coins circulated in the northern part of Botswana until the 1950s. The Pound was divisible into 20 Shillings and 240 Pence.

The South African Rand replaced the South African Pound at the rate of 2 Rand equal to 1 Pound on February 14, 1961. The South African Reserve Bank began issuing banknotes in 1921. Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland left the Sterling Area on June 23, 1972 when the United Kingdom officially went off the gold standard.

Although some commemorative coins were issued for Botswana in 1966, the first coins weren't issued for circulation until 1976 with 1 pula = 100 thebe. Botswana introduced the Pula at par with the South African Rand on August 23, 1976. The Pula is divisible into 100 Thebe and is issued by the Bank of Botswana.

Here is a 2002 dated coin valued at 10 Thebe. The obverse features parts of the National Coat of Arms in the center, with the date below. The full version of the Caot of Arms includes a Zebra on either side supporting the shield. The reverse depicts a South African Oryx in the center with the value above. The South African Oryx is also known as the Beisa. The Oryx occurs in two subspecies, Common Beisa Oryx found in steppe and semi-desert throughout the Horn of Africa and north of the Tana River, and Fringe-eared Oryx south of the Tana River in Kenya and parts of Tanzania.

The National Coat of Arms -

The arms is made up of a central tribal shield; the three blue waves represents water, the cogwheels represents industry and the bull's head husbandry and herding. The two supporters are zebras, the dexter zebra holds an ivory tusk; representative of Botswana's former ivory trade. The sinister zebra holds an ear of sorghum an important crop in the country. Finally the blue ribbon holds the motto "Pula" which means "rain".

• Weight: NA
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• Material: Nickel Clad Steel
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• Mintage:
• Krause # KM-

• Weight: g
• Diameter: mm
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• Mintage:
• Krause # KM-

• Weight: g
• Diameter: mm
• Material:
• Edge:
• Mint:
• Mintage:
• Krause # KM-

Reverse