Siaka Stevens was one of Sierra Leone's most prominent political leaders who served as Prime Minister from 1968 to 1985 and then as President.1905. He was born on 24 August in Moyamba, Sierra Leone, to a Limba father and a Mende mother. He was educated at the Albert Academy in Freetown and then studied industrial relations at Ruskin College, Oxford. Stevens began his career with the Sierra Leone Police, where he was first class he attained the rank of sergeant. He co-founded the United Mine Workers' Union in 1943. He served as Minister of Lands, Mines and Labor from 1951 to 1957. He founded the All People's Congress (APC) in 1960. Stevens became Prime Minister in 1968 after the APC won the general election. elections. In 1971, Sierra Leone became a republic, and Stevens became the first president. In 1978, he declared Sierra Leone a one-party state. His rule was often characterized by patrimonialism, corruption and exploitation. Stevens played a key role in the creation of the Mano River Union, an economic union between Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. He retired in 1985 and was succeeded by General Joseph Saidu Momoh. Stevens on 29 May 1988 died in Freetown. The leadership of Siaka Stevens was associated with many achievements and controversies and had a lasting impact on the history of Sierra Leone.

Siaka Stevens was the Prime Minister of Sierra Leone from 1962 to 1985. Sierra Leone's coinage underwent significant changes under his rule. The British pound continued to be the official currency. In 1964, Sierra Leone introduced the decimal system and converted to the leone at a rate of 1 leone = 10 shillings = 100 pence. 1964 - Between 1972 bronze 1, 2, 5 and 10 cents and nickel 50 cents coins were minted and paper 1, 2, 5 and 10 leone banknotes were issued. 1972-1985 aluminum 1 leone coins were minted and a new 50 leone banknote was printed. The 2 leone banknote was withdrawn from circulation. A number of commemorative coins were minted under Stevens' rule, These coins celebrated important events in the country's history and culture. The Bank of Sierra Leone was responsible for minting coins under Stevens' rule, the value of the leone gradually decreased. 1985 In , when Stevens resigned, 1 leone = 0.10 USD.