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Somaliland shilling facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Somali shilling.
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Somaliland shilling
500/-, 1,000/- and 5,000/- banknotes 1/- coin
500/-, 1,000/- and 5,000/- banknotes 1/- coin
ISO 4217 Code None
User(s)  Somaliland
Pegged with U.S. dollar = ~ 8,000/-
Symbol Sl.Sh. SLSH, /-
Coins
Rarely used 1/-, 5/-, 10/-, 20/-
Banknotes
Freq. used 100/-, 500/-, 1,000/-, 5,000/-
Rarely used 5/-, 10/-, 20/-, 50/-,

The Somaliland shilling (also called Shillin Somaliland) is the official money used in the Republic of Somaliland. Somaliland is a country in the Horn of Africa that acts like an independent state, but most other countries still see it as part of Somalia.

The Somaliland shilling is often shortened to Sl.Sh. or SLSH. Its symbol is /-.

What is the Somaliland Shilling?

Money called the shilling has been used in parts of Somalia since 1921. Back then, it was the East African shilling in the area known as British Somaliland.

After Somaliland became independent in 1960, a new currency called the Somali shilling was introduced in 1962. This new money replaced the old East African shilling.

How the Somaliland Shilling Started

In September 1994, the government of Somaliland decided to create its own money. This new currency was the Somaliland shilling. It replaced the Somali shilling.

The Somaliland shilling started being used on October 18, 1994. One Somaliland shilling was equal to 100 Somali shillings. By January 31, 1995, the Somali shilling was no longer used in Somaliland.

How Much is a Somaliland Shilling Worth?

The Somaliland shilling is linked to the United States dollar. This means its value is set against the US dollar. For a long time, about 8,000 Somaliland shillings were worth one US dollar.

Today, the most common banknotes you'll see are 100/-, 500/-, 1,000/-, and 5,000/-.

Coins of Somaliland

The Somaliland shilling is supposed to be divided into 100 cents. However, coins worth cents have never been made because they would be worth too little.

The smallest coin ever made was the 1/- coin. It was first made in 1994 in England. In 2002, 2/- and 5/- coins were released. These coins showed pictures of famous explorer Richard Francis Burton and a cockerel (rooster).

Other coins made include the 10/- coin, which has a vervet monkey on it, and the 20/- coin, which shows an Italian Greyhound. Currently, new Somaliland coins are not being made or used.

What Are the Coins Made Of?

The 1/- and 5/- coins are made from aluminium. The 10/- coin is made of brass, and the 20/- coin is made of stainless steel. There was also a 1,000/- coin made from pure silver.

Details of Somaliland Coins

  • 1/- coin (1994): This was the first coin from Somaliland. It shows a Somali pigeon. The front of the coin says "REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND 1994". The back says "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "ONE SOMALILAND SHILLING" around the "1/-" in the middle.
  • 5/- coins (2002): Two different 5/- coins were made in 2002. One has a picture of Richard Francis Burton, and the other shows a rooster.
    • The Burton coin's front says "RICHARD F. BURTON EXPLORATION OF SOMALILAND". The back says "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "FIVE SOMALILAND SHILLINGS".
    • The rooster coin's front says "REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND 2002" and shows a cockerel. Its back also says "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "FIVE SOMALILAND SHILLINGS".
  • 10/- coin (2002): This coin shows a vervet monkey on the front, with "REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND 2002" written around it. The back says "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "TEN SOMALILAND SHILLINGS".
  • 20/- coin (2002): The front of this coin has an Italian Greyhound and the words "REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND 2002". The back says "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "TWENTY SOMALILAND SHILLINGS".
Somaliland Coins
Front Image Back Image Value What's on the Front What's on the Back Year Made
1 Somaliland Shilling Coins Reverse 1994.jpg 1 Somaliland Shilling Coins Obverse 1994.jpg 1/- A Somali pigeon "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "ONE SOMALILAND SHILLING" 1994
5 Somaliland Shilling Coins Reverse 2002.jpg 5 Somaliland Shilling Coins Obverse 2002.jpg 5/- Either Richard Francis Burton or a rooster "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "FIVE SOMALILAND SHILLINGS" 2002
10 Somaliland Shilling Coins Obverse 2002.jpg 10 Somaliland Shilling Coins Reverse 2002.jpg 10/- A vervet monkey "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "TEN SOMALILAND SHILLINGS" 2002
20 Somaliland Shilling Coins Obverse 2002.jpg 20 Somaliland Shilling Coins Reverse 2002.jpg 20/- An Italian Greyhound "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "TWENTY SOMALILAND SHILLINGS" 2002

Banknotes of Somaliland

Somaliland has issued banknotes in many values, including 5/-, 10/-, 20/-, 50/-, 100/-, 500/-, 1,000/-, and 5,000/-. These notes were printed between 1994 and 2011.

Today, only the 100/-, 500/-, 1,000/-, and 5,000/- notes are commonly used.

500 Somaliland Shillings notes
500/- notes.
Somaliland Banknotes (1996-2011)
Front Image Back Image Value Main Color What's on the Front What's on the Back Years Issued
5 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg 5 Somaliland Shillings.jpg 5/- Green A group of camels in front of the Naasa Hablood Hills near Hargeisa The Goodirka Building (old House of Representatives) in Hargeisa, and a kudu animal 1994
10 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg 10 Somaliland Shillings.jpg 10/- Purple 1994, 1996
20 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg 20 Somaliland Shillings.jpg 20/- Brown 1994, 1996
50 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg 50 Somaliland Shillings.jpg 50/- Blue 1996, 1999
100 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg 100 Somaliland Shillings.jpg 100/- Khaki The Berbera dockside with Somali sheep and goats The Bank of Somaliland building in Hargeisa 1994, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011
500 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg 500 Somaliland Shillings.jpg 500/- Blue 1994, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011
1000 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg 1000 Somaliland Shillings.jpg 1,000/- Red 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015
5000 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg 5000 Somaliland Shillings.jpg 5,000/- Green Three camels and three goats looking for food 2011, 2012, 2015
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixel per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

In 1996 and 1999, some 50/- notes were reissued in a slightly larger size.

Special Anniversary Banknotes

In 1996, some banknotes had a special message printed on them. This message said "5th Anniversary of Independence 18 May 1996". It celebrated five years since Somaliland declared its independence. It's not fully clear if the government or collectors added these messages.

How Exchange Rates Work

The central bank of Somaliland offers to exchange money at an official rate. However, many people in Somaliland prefer to use unofficial rates. These rates are offered by money changers on the streets.

  • In November 2000, the official rate was 4,550 Somaliland shillings for one US dollar. Unofficial rates were between 4,000/- and 5,000/- per dollar.
  • By December 2008, the official rate had changed to 7,500/- per US dollar.
  • In December 2015, the common rate was 6,000/- per US dollar. By July 2019, it was around 8,500/- per US dollar.
  • In December 2022, the official rate was 8,530/- for one US dollar. The Somaliland shilling's value has stayed quite steady around the 8,000/- mark.

Images for kids

  • 5 Somaliland Shillings back
  • 5 Somaliland Shillings
  • 10 Somaliland Shillings back
  • 10 Somaliland Shillings
  • 20 Somaliland Shillings back
  • 20 Somaliland Shillings
  • 50 Somaliland Shillings back
  • 50 Somaliland Shillings
  • 100 Somaliland Shillings back
  • 100 Somaliland Shillings
  • 500 Somaliland Shillings back
  • 500 Somaliland Shillings
  • 1000 Somaliland Shillings back
  • 1000 Somaliland Shillings
  • 5000 Somaliland Shillings back
  • 5000 Somaliland Shillings
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