Catalog
| Obverse description | |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Arabic |
| Obverse lettering | اللة سلطان سعيد بن برغش بن سلطان حڢظی |
| Reverse description | |
| Reverse script | Arabic |
| Reverse lettering | 5 ريال سكة سعيدية ١٢٩٩ عام |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1299 (1882) - ١٢٩٩ - 2 000 |
| Numisquare ID | 6904779090 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 1882 (AH 1299) Zanzibar 5 Riyal gold coin was issued under Sultan Barghash bin Said al-Busaidi (1870-1888). This era saw significant modernization and burgeoning trade for the East African Sultanate. Barghash, a reform-minded ruler, expanded Zanzibar's infrastructure and solidified its commercial dominance. This gold coinage symbolized Zanzibar's economic prosperity and independent monetary system amidst European influence, marking a high point in the Sultanate's autonomy.
Artistry: The 5 Riyal's design is defined by elegant Islamic epigraphy, characteristic of the region's coinage. No specific engraver