1931 Ethiopia Africa 50 Matonas Coin - Great Condition - Hailé Selassié I - East African Coins

Haile Selassie I (1882-1975) was the last emperor of Ethiopia. He was born as Täfäri Mäkonnän and later became known as Ras (duke) Tafari. In 1916 he dethroned Lij Yasu, the successor of emperor Melnik II. Zauditu, Menilek II’s daughter, became empress in 1917, while Ras Tafari became regent and heir apparent to the throne. He ruled from 1930 to 1936, then from 1941 to 1974, interrupted by the Italian occupation. After famine struck the nation, he was kept under house arrest in his palace after a military coup and was killed by the junta the 27th of August 1975.

Issuer:    Ethiopian Empire (Ethiopia) 
Emperor:    Haile Selassie I (1930-1936, 1941-1974)
Type:    Standard circulation coins
Year:    1923 (1931)
Calendar:    Ethiopian
Value:    50 Matonas (፶ መቶኛ) (0.50)
Currency:    Birr / Thaler (decimalized, 1931-1936)
Composition:    Nickel
Weight:    7.11 g
Diameter:    26.7 mm
Thickness:    1.7 mm
Shape:    Round
Technique:    Milled