Catalog
| Issuer | National Bank of Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Year | 1982 |
| Type | Non-circulating coin |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | የዓሰም አቀፍ አሳሰ ስንኩሳን ዓመት ኢትዮጵያ ፲፱፻፸፬ ዓ.ሞ ሃምሳ ብር (Translation: Ethiopia, 1974 AM, Fifty Birr) |
| Reverse description | Central design depicts two outstretched human hands meeting in the field, symbolizing assistance and solidarity with disabled persons — the emblematic motif of the International Year of Disabled Persons. The legend 'I•Y•D•P' arcs across the upper portion of the inner circle, while the denomination '50 BIRR' is inscribed in two lines along the lower portion, with '50' to the lower right of the hands and 'BIRR' curved along the bottom. The design is rendered in high relief against a polished flat field. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
This coin was issued under the Derg regime — the Marxist military junta that had deposed Haile Selassie in 1974 — as part of Ethiopia's participation in the International Year of Disabled Persons, a UN initiative that ran in 1981. Dozens of nations struck commemorative silver issues for the program, most of them destined almost entirely for the collector market rather than circulation. Ethiopia's economy at the time was in severe distress, and a 50 Birr face value placed the coin well beyond the reach of ordinary domestic use.