MOTTOES ON COINS - PART II

Previously, part one was on the mottoes on coins of Great Britain. Here in part second information about mottoes on coins of rest of the world is given.

Mottoes can be prominently seen on the coins of India, U.S.A., France and many other African countries. The mottoes on African coins mostly reflects their sufferings during colonialism and their efforts to overcome it. The countries who have inscribed mottoes on their coins are listed below in alphabetical order.

AUSTRALIA

"ADVANCE AUSTRALIA"

This motto was inscribed only on the silver coins of King Edward VII and King George V.

BARBADOS

"PRIDE AND INDUSTRY"

BERMUDA

"QUO FATA PERUNT"

Meaning - Whither the fates carry.

BIAFRA

"THE FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL"

"PEACE UNITY FREEDOM"

Biafra was a part of Nigeria till 1967, when due to religious riots the Igbo people rebelled and announced themselves seceded from Nigeria. They also got recognition from many other countries. They issued new currency notes and coins by 1968. The first motto appears only on 1 pound coin, but the second motto appeared on all the coins of Biafra. But due to defeat in a war in 1969, the military heads of Biafra surrendered themselves to Nigeria. And now the currency has became obsolete. But the coins generally fetch a good value.

BOTSWANA

"PULA"

Meaning - Rain.

BURUNDI

"DANZA SABWA SAEWA"

Meaning - (something in Swahili language)


"UBUMVE IBIKORMA AMAJAMBERE"

Meaning - Unity, Work and Progress.

CHAD

"UNITE TRAVAIL PROGRESS"

Meaning - Unity, Work and Progress.

CONGO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

"JUSTICE PAIX TRAVAIL"

Meaning - Justice, Peace and Work.

COTE D'IVIORE

"UNION DISCIPLINE TRAVAIL"

Meaning - Unity, Discipline and Work.

DAHOMEY

"FRATERNITE JUSTICE TRAVAIL"

Meaning - Fraternity, Justice and Work.

DJIBOUTI

"UNITE EGALITE PAIX"

Meaning - Unity, Equality and Peace.

FRANCE

"XPS VINCIT XPS REGNAT XPS IMPERAT"

Meaning - Christ conquers, Christ riegns, Christ commands.

This motto is inscribed mostly on gold coins from the period of King Louis IX to King Louis XIV.

"LIBERTE EGALITE FRATERNITE"

Meaning - Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

This is a general motto which is seen on nearly all the coins of france. This motto first appeared on the coins after the reign of Napoleon III. And the same motto can be seen on the present day coins of France.

"TRAVAIL FAMILIE PATRIE"

Meaning - Work, Family and Fatherland.

This motto appeared on coins during the Second World War period to motivate the people for their country.

GHANA

"FREEDOM AND JUSTICE"

GUINEA REPUBLIC

"TRAVAIL JUSTICE SOLIDARITE"

Meaning - Work, Justice and Solidarity.

INDIA

"AUSPICIO REGIS ET SENATUS ANGLIAE"

Meaning - Auspiciois rule of Senators of Angles (English People).

This motto appeared only on few coins issued by British East India Company in Bombay Presidency and Madras Presidency from the period 1716 to 1858. The first two coins shown above are from Madras Presidency whereas, the third is from Bobbay Presidency.

"SATYAMEVA JAYATE"

Meaning - Truth Alone Triumphs.

India adopted this motto for their coins in 1979. Since then this motto is inscribed on all the coins of India till now.

INDONESIA

"BHINNEKA TUNGGAL IKA"

Meaning - Unity in Diversity.

JAMAICA

"OUT OF MANY, ONE PEOPLE"

LIBERIA

"SELF RELIANCE"

"THE LOVE OF LIBERTY BROUGHT US HERE"

MEXICO

"ESTADOS UNIDOS MEXICANOS"

Meaning - United Mexican States

NIGERIA

"UNITY AND FAITH"

"UNITY AND FAITH, PEACE AND PROGESS"

The first motto was used till 1976. But, Nigeria had a history of communal riots and violence. So to send the message of peace, the motto was made longer. All the coins of Nigeria bears the second till now.

SIERRA LEONE

"UNITY FREEDOM JUSTICE"

SOUTH AFRICA

"UNITAT"

Meaning - Unity.

UDAIPUR

"DOSTI LONDON"

Meaning - Friendship London.

This motto ws inscribed by the Udaipur (Mewar) State in order to show their loyalty to the Queen Victoria. Many states inscribed the name of British ruler on their coins, but here only this motto was used.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

"LIBERTY"

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

"E PLURIBUS UNUM

Meaning - Out of often, One.

Liberty is the oldest motto seen on most American coins since 1793. The second motto was adopted during 1860s and the third motto from early 1900s. All these three mottoes have been inscribed on all the coins of USA till now. But in Sacagawean Dollar and Presidential Dollar coins the second and third motto are inscribed on the edge on the coin.