William R. Tolbert Jr. had already been serving as Liberia's president for five years by 1976, having assumed office in 1971 after the death of William Tubman. The inauguration being commemorated here was his formal elected inauguration following the 1975 election — a distinction worth noting, since Tolbert's earlier presidency was by constitutional succession rather than popular mandate. Pattern issues of this type were struck in alternative metals to test designs or gauge interest from collectors and government officials; the bronze composition here almost certainly ruled out any production run, as a circulating $100 piece in base metal would have carried no credibility.
Tolbert was assassinated in a military coup in April 1980.
William R. Tolbert Jr. had already been serving as Liberia's president for five years by 1976, having assumed office in 1971 after the death of William Tubman. The inauguration being commemorated here was his formal elected inauguration following the 1975 election — a distinction worth noting, since Tolbert's earlier presidency was by constitutional succession rather than popular mandate. Pattern issues of this type were struck in alternative metals to test designs or gauge interest from collectors and government officials; the bronze composition here almost certainly ruled out any production run, as a circulating $100 piece in base metal would have carried no credibility.
Tolbert was assassinated in a military coup in April 1980.