50 Matonas - Hailé Selassié I

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.