5 Pounds 15th Hijrah Century, Copper Essai

Sudan's 1979 essai coinage was produced in anticipation of a major decimal reissue tied to the opening of the 15th Islamic century — 1400 AH fell in November 1979, giving the series both a commemorative rationale and a practical one. Essais in copper were struck as compositional trials, typically by outside minting contractors, to test die performance before committing to a final metal specification.

The dual KM reference — E14 and E9 — reflects an ongoing cataloguing dispute in the Krause literature rather than two distinct pieces.