| Obverse description |
`1` `F` on either side of the round hole and a `dot` below the `F`. The height of the `F` is about half that of the `1`. The `1`, `F` and `point` are filled in with horizontal hatching. `SUCRIERE` on the top of the piece, in capital letters and with a grave accent on the E. `NOSSI-BE` on the bottom of the coin, in capital letters. It should be noted that this coin comes from Madagascar, and more specifically from Nosy Be, an island in the northwest, near the Malagasy coast. The island`s main activity, in addition to tourism, is the cultivation of sugar cane, and has been for many years. The spelling of Nosy Be is different from that of the coin: Nossi-Be, which can be explained by the change in the political status of Madagascar, which has since become independent from France, and which changed the names of several towns after independence. The meaning of Nosy Be in Malagasy means: Nosy=island and Be=big, in other words big island. |
