Catalog
100 Francs Qibla compass, silver plated
| Issuer | Niger |
|---|---|
| Year | 2012 |
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| Value | 100 Francs |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse is designed as a functional Qibla compass, featuring a detailed depiction of the Masjid al-Haram mosque at the centre, rendered in intricate relief within a circular medallion surrounded by ornate arabesque scrollwork. A black compass needle and a black rhombus-shaped directional marker are affixed to the coin, allowing the piece to function as an actual Qibla direction finder. Arabic numerals 1 through 35 are inscribed in sequence around the outer border, serving as degree markers. Two Quranic inscriptions appear in the inner field: the Shahada and a verse from Surah An-Nisa regarding the obligation of prayer, along with the year 2012 in the central medallion. |
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| Edge | Reeded |
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| Additional information |
Niger's monetary authority issued this piece as part of a broader wave of African novelty coinage produced almost entirely for the European collector market — the coins never circulated domestically and were struck by contracted European mints. The Qibla compass theme situates it alongside similar Islamic-themed issues from Chad, Mali, and other Sahelian states that licensed their sovereignty to foreign distributors during this period.
Silver-plated copper rather than sterling, which places it squarely in the lower tier of the commemorative market.