50 Cents

France issued this coin for circulation in Tunisia following the establishment of the French Protectorate — formally imposed by the Treaty of Bardo in May 1881, though coinage production had begun in anticipation of the political transition. The Monnaie de Paris held exclusive minting rights for Tunisian coinage throughout the protectorate period, effectively absorbing the Husainid bey's nominal monetary authority into the French administrative apparatus.

The Zay reference split between two numbers reflects distinct bey-name varieties across the date range, as the series spans the reigns of Muhammad III as-Sadiq and Ali III Bey.