5 Kenyan Shillings Banknote (1981)

5 Shilingi / Shillin Shilling (Issued 1981-1984)

Kenya’s wildlife heritage and national identity were central to the visual language of its early post-independence currency, and the five shilling note issued from 1981 encapsulates that spirit with striking clarity. Bearing the portrait of Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, who became Kenya’s second President in 1978 following the death of Jomo Kenyatta, this note circulated during a period of considerable political consolidation in the country. The denomination represented everyday spending power for ordinary Kenyans, making it one of the most widely handled notes of its era. Its withdrawal from circulation has since made it a tangible record of Kenya’s early 1980s monetary history.

On the front, the note is dominated by a finely engraved portrait of Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, President of the Republic of Kenya, positioned to the right of centre against a background of intricate guilloché latticework rendered in warm reddish-brown tones. He is depicted wearing a suit and tie, and his name and title — “DANIEL TOROITICH ARAP MOI, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA” — are printed in full beneath the portrait. The issuing authority is clearly stated at the top in both Swahili and English: “BANKI KUU YA KENYA” above “CENTRAL BANK OF KENYA”. The denomination is prominently displayed in bold uppercase lettering as “SHILINGI TANO”, with the legend “LEGAL TENDER FOR FIVE SHILLINGS” printed above it. To the left of centre, the Kenyan national coat of arms is depicted, featuring two lions flanking a traditional Maasai shield and crossed spears, set above a banner. To the far left, a decorative floral motif — appearing to show roses — is engraved in fine linework as part of the border design. The serial number D/4 147752 appears twice, once on the left and once on the lower right, printed in dark ink. The date “1ST JANUARY 1981” is inscribed on the lower left portion of the note. Two facsimile signatures appear across the lower section, attributed to the Governor and a Member for the Board of Directors, with their respective titles printed beneath. The numeral “5” appears in each of the four corners of the note. The overall colour palette is a consistent warm reddish-brown on a cream ground, with fine geometric border patterns running along all edges.

The reverse of the note presents a richly detailed wildlife scene rendered in the same reddish-brown engraving style against a softly coloured background. In the foreground, a group of four Cape buffalo stand prominently, their curved horns and heavy forms captured with precise intaglio-style linework. Behind them, several giraffes are visible, their elongated necks rising above the treeline. In the background, the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya rise dramatically against a pale sky, depicted with fine shading that conveys both height and grandeur. A large acacia tree frames the left side of the scene, its characteristic flat-topped canopy rendered in careful detail. To the lower right, a stylised floral or seed-pod motif adds a botanical element to the composition. The denomination numeral “5” appears in a guilloché-bordered cartouche in the upper left corner, and the text “SHILIINGI TANO” is printed in bold lettering along the lower edge of the note. The borders are filled with repeating geometric and wave patterns that frame the central scene and reinforce the note’s visual structure.

Webuyallcurrency.com makes it easy to exchange old coins and banknotes — a 5 Shilingi banknote from Kenya is accepted with other old or withdrawn Kenyan Shillings banknotes and converted into cash in one go.

• Indicate the quantity of 5 Shilingi / Shillin Shilling banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Webuyallcurrency.com makes it easy to sell foreign coins and banknotes for cash, taking Kenyan Shillings banknotes along with modern and withdrawn currency so everything is converted in one step.

Other Kenyan Shillings you can exchange: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000.