Title: Bank of Botswana
Content:  The Bank of Botswana (BoB) is the central bank of Botswana. When Botswana gained independence from Britain in 1966, the country was part of the Rand Monetary Area (RMA). In 1974 Botswana withdrew from the RMA, and the Bank of Botswana and Financial Institution Acts established the legal framework for a central bank in Botswana to be established in July 1975, with Christopher H. L. Hermans as the first Governor. The pula was launched as a national currency in 1976, and in 1977 the Bank of Botswana became the government banker. The Bank manages Botswana's sovereign wealth fund, the Pula Fund.
Title: Botswana pula
Content:  Due to hyperinflation in Zimbabwe from 2006 to 2008, the government of Zimbabwe has allowed circulation of foreign currency since 2008. The Zimbabwean dollar became obsolete on 12 April 2009. Several currencies, including the South African rand and Botswana pula, circulate in Zimbabwe, along with the Zimbabwean bond notes and bond coins.
Title: Botswana pula
Content:  On 23 August 1976, the Bank of Botswana introduced notes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 pula; a 20-pula note followed on 16 February 1978. The 1- and 2-pula notes were replaced by coins in 1991 and 1994, whilst the first 50- and 100-pula notes were introduced on 29 May 1990 and 23 August 1993, respectively. The 5-pula note was replaced by a coin in 2000. The original 1-, 2- and 5-pula banknotes were demonetized on 1 July 2011. The current series of notes was introduced on 23 August 2009 and contains, for the first time, a 200-pula banknote. In response to the concern of the poor quality of the paper of the 10-pula banknote, the Bank of Botswana revealed a 10-pula banknote in polymer in November 2017 and was issued to the public on 1 February 2018. In 2020, the Bank of Botswana issued a new 10-pula polymer banknote that features an image of the current President of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi.
Title: Bophuthatswana
Content:  Bophuthatswana was the first and only Bantustan to produce its own coins. Two coins were minted as a proof set only, the South African Rand remained the official currency.
Title: Botswana pula
Content:  In 1976, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 thebe. The 1 thebe was struck in aluminum, with the 5 thebe in bronze and the others in cupro-nickel. These coins were round except for the scalloped 1 pula. Bronze, dodecagonal 2 thebe coins were introduced in 1981 and discontinued after 1985. In 1991, bronze-plated steel replaced bronze in the 5 thebe, nickel-plated steel replaced cupro-nickel in the 10, 25 and 50 thebe and the 1 pula changed to a smaller, nickel-brass, equilateral-curve seven-sided coin. A similarly shaped, nickel-brass 2 pula was introduced in 1994. In 2004, the composition was changed to brass-plated steel and the size 
Title: Seretse Khama
Content:  regional and international markets. With Khama's direct intervention, it negotiated a lucrative trade deal with the European Economic Community, gaining prices far above world levels. Khama also spearheaded a national fundraising campaign to build Botswana's first institute of higher education, which resulted in the establishment of the University of Botswana in 1982, after Khama's death. The Botswana Development Corporation was established in 1970 to attract foreign investment in crop agriculture, tourism, and the secondary sector. In 1976, the Botswana pula was introduced, replacing the South African rand as the national currency. Due to Khama's dedication to development, very little was spent on defence, and 
Title: Postage stamps and postal history of Botswana
Content:  Botswana has produced postage stamps for national use since becoming independent on 30 September 1966. The country formerly used the stamps of the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The first independence issue of 1966 included depictions of an abattoir in Lobatse, Botswana National Airways and the State House in Gaborone.
Title: De facto currency
Content:  Due to hyperinflation in Zimbabwe in 2006 to 2008, the government of Zimbabwe has allowed circulation of foreign currency since September 2008 and local currency became obsolete since 12 April 2009. Both South African rand and Botswana pula circulate in Zimbabwe.
Title: Compendium of postage stamp issuers (Ba–Be)
Content: Dates :	1888–1965 ; Capital :	Mafeking ; Currency : 	(1888) 12 pence = 1 shilling; 20 shillings = 1 pound ; (1961) 100 cents = 1 rand Includes :	Bechuanaland Main article : Postage stamps and postal history of Bechuanaland Protectorate See also :	Botswana; ; British Bechuanaland; ; Cape of Good Hope The territory north of the Molopo river which became Botswana in 1966. The first issues 1888–1889 were overprinted Great Britain, British Bechuanaland and Cape of Good Hope types. During 1890–1897, British Bechuanaland stamps were used. From October 1897, overprinted Great Britain were used until 12 December 1932 when specific stamps for the Protectorate were first issued.    
Title: Zambian kwacha
Content:  Prior to independence in 1964, the Rhodesia and Nyasaland pound was the legal tender of the short-lived British protectorate of Northern Rhodesia. Banknotes of 10 shillings, 1, 5, and 10 pounds issued by the Central Africa Currency Board were in circulation, together with coins of ½, 1, 3, 6 pence, and 1, 2, 2½, and 5 shillings. After independence, the Bank of Zambia issued the first Zambian currency, the Zambian pound, in 1964. The issued paper bills and coins were of similar denominations as these used before independence, except for the 10 pounds note, which was never issued by the Bank of Zambia. A new 

Question: when did the botswana currency first come into circulation?
Answer: 1976.