© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
1 Matona - Hailé Selassié I
1923 (1931) year| Bronze (95.5% Copper, 3% Tin, 1.5% Zinc) | 1.5 g | 16.0 mm |
| Issuer | Ethiopian Empire (Ethiopia) |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Haile Selassie I (1930-1936, 1941-1974) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1923 (1931) |
| Calendar | Ethiopian |
| Value | 1 Matona (፩ መቶኛ) (0.01) |
| Currency | Birr / Thaler (decimalized, 1931-1936) |
| Composition | Bronze (95.5% Copper, 3% Tin, 1.5% Zinc) |
| Weight | 1.5 g |
| Diameter | 16.0 mm |
| Thickness | 1.1 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#10295 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 26% |
Reverse
Crowned lion right, right foreleg raised holding ribboned cross
Scripts: Ge'ez, Latin
Lettering:
ሞዓ፡ አንበሳ፡ ዘእምነገደ፡ ይሁዳ፡
1
Translation: 'Moa' the Lion of Judah (Rastafarians claim it means 'the Conquering Lion of Judah', proper reference for this translation is needed)
Edge
Plain
Comment
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 got killed by the junta the 27th of August 1975. Some Rastafarians have refered to Haile Selassie as the returned messiah of the Bible.Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 1 Matona coin is that it features an image of Emperor Haile Selassie I, who was the last emperor of Ethiopia and ruled from 1930 until his overthrow in 1974. He was a prominent figure in African politics and played a key role in the country's modernization and development. The coin's design was created by the Italian engraver, G. V. Vaccari, and it was minted in Rome.
Price
| Date | Mintage | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 (1931) | 1250000 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Values in the table are based on evaluations by sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only for 1 Matona - Hailé Selassié I 1923 (1931) coin.
