Here is today's purchase, a 1 birr from the time of Menelik II (1889-1913) who initiated Ethiopia's transition from fuedal to modern society. It has edge inscriptions in Amharic. Figure on reverse is the lion of Judah. 28.075 grams 0.835 Ag EE 1889 (about 1896AD) Paris Mint (A)
Brad,that is a very nice coin.There is an extremely rare variety that has the lion's right-hand paw up.Like the pictured coin,it is also dated EE 1889 (1897) A. Aidan.
The pictured silver 1 Birr is the 'normal' coin.It is a beautiful coin design.You occasionally see the smaller silver coins.I had one of the 1/100 Birr coins in my collection,but I am offloading my non-British Commonwealth coins to allow other collectors to enjoy these coins in the same way I have. The obverse design & the coin's size is very strongly derived from the Maria Theresa Thaler Restrikes,which were used in Ethiopia & in other countries of that area of north Africa & the Middle East. Aidan.
That's one of the things I like best about this coin, its big and heavy like a MT thaler. The right-paw version is more common for EE 1892 (about 1899AD).
acanthite, Ethiopia 1 birr ............. I really like the coin:hail: Here's the one I have in gold:smile Ethiopia Werk 1897 (EE1889) Menelik II was famous for defeating the Italian Army of King Umberto in the late 1890s with a very poorly equipped army and antique cannons
Very nice, silvereagle and Drusus, thanks for sharing. Drusus, I read the date on that 50 matonas as EE1923. That would be the first year decimalization was introduced.
EE1923 is 1931 on the Matonas series coins.The EE1936 (1944) bronze coins turn up a lot.The EE1969 (1977) Communist issues onwards are not easy to find. Aidan.
