Botswana pula. The pula (also known as the Botswana dollar) is the currency of Botswana. It has the ISO 4217 code BWP and is subdivided into 100 thebe. Pula literally means "rain" in Setswana, because rain is very scarce in Botswana???home to much of the Kalahari Desert???and therefore valuable and a blessing. The word also serves as the national motto of the country. A sub-unit of the currency is known as thebe, or "shield", and represents defence. The names were picked with the help of the public. History The pula was introduced on 23 August 1976, subsequently known as "Pula Day", replacing the rand at par. One hundred days after the pula was introduced, the rand ceased to be legal tender in Botswana. Coins In 1976, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 thebe. The 1 thebe was struck in aluminium, with the 5 thebe in bronze and the others in cupro-nickel...