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50 Matonas - Hailé Selassié I
| Issuer | Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Year | 1931 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | 26.7 mm |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | ቀዳማዊ፡ኀይለ፡ሥላሴ፡ንጉሠ፡ነገሥት፡ዘኢትዮጵያ። ፲፱፻፳፫ ⥼ ፶ መቶኛ:: ⥽ (Translation: Hailé Selassié I, King of Kings (Emperor) of Ethiopia 10 9 100 20 3 (meaning (10+9)*100 +20+3 = 1923) 50 Matona/Metonya (መቶ means hundred, መቶኛ means hundreth)) |
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
Ethiopia's currency reform of 1931 replaced the old Maria Theresa thaler-dominated monetary system with a decimal coinage tied directly to imperial authority. The matona series was introduced as Haile Selassie consolidated power following his coronation in November 1930 — the coins themselves were struck at the Paris Mint, as Ethiopia lacked domestic minting capacity.
The KM#31 50 matonas is the largest denomination in the nickel portion of that inaugural imperial series. Paris Mint records indicate a single production run with no subsequent restrikes for circulation.