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1 Birr - Menelik II Pattern
| Issuer | Ethiopian Empire (Ethiopia) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1898 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | 60 mm |
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| Reverse script | Ge'ez |
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| Mintage | 1890 (1898) |
| Additional information |
Pattern coinage for Menelik II appeared in the immediate aftermath of Adwa, where Ethiopian forces had routed an Italian army in March 1896 — the most decisive defeat of a European colonial power by an African state in the nineteenth century. The victory left Menelik negotiating from strength, and monetary reform was part of his broader project of projecting sovereign legitimacy to European powers already circling the continent.
At 95.9 grams, this copper piece was never adopted for circulation. The production of patterns in multiple metals and sizes during this period reflects an exploratory minting program, not a firm monetary plan.