100 Franga Ari - Zog I Prova

Albania's 1928 coinage was struck in conjunction with Ahmet Zogu's proclamation of himself as King Zog I in September of that year, converting the country from a republic — which he had already dominated as President — into a monarchy with himself as hereditary sovereign. The 100 Franga Ari was the prestige denomination of this inaugural royal series, and the Prova issues were pattern strikes produced for official approval before regular coinage commenced.

Italian mints handled production, reflecting Zog's uneasy but pragmatic alignment with Mussolini's Italy during this period. Few Prova examples were ever released outside official channels.