The coins size and compositions were based in part on those of the former colonial state British West Africa.

All bore the portrait of the first prime minister of Sierra Leone, Sir Milton Margai.

The portrait of Stevens also appeared on a new, slightly smaller series of coins introduced in 1980 in denominations of 1⁄2, 1, 5, 10 and 20 cents.

In 1987, octagonal, nickel-bronze 1 leone coins were introduced with a bust portrait of General Joseph Saidu Momoh.

Following a period of economic collapse and the following Sierra Leone Civil War inflation became rampant, devaluing older coins.

These coins were struck in nickel-plated steel and feature important figures in Sierra Leone's political history.

Of the four coins in circulation, only the 100 leones is available in small quantity due to their low valuation and shortage of supply.

500 leones coins and the two lowest denominations are rarely encountered due to rampant metal theft in the impoverished country.

The original series of notes (1964-1974) depicted the famous 300 year old Cottonwood Tree and Court building in central Freetown.

In June 2010, the Bank of Sierra Leone issued new notes which were slightly smaller in size than the earlier series and intended to be more secure and durable.