20 Francs Essai

Reverse

Dhow, ocean liner, denomination above.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
TERRITOIRE FRANÇAIS DES AFARS ET DES ISSAS ·
10
FRANCS

Translation: French Afars and Issas territory

Engraver: Lucien Georges Bazor

Edge

Plain

Comment

In 1862, France bought the port, roadstead and anchorage of Obock in the Gulf of Tadjoura.
It occupied the southern coast in 1885, then created the port of Djibouti, better situated on the road to Madagascar and Indochina.

This is an automatic translation. The original text is:

En 1862, la France achète les port, rade et mouillage d'Obock dans le golfe de Tadjoura.
Elle occupe la côte sud en 1885, puis crée le port de Djibouti, mieux situé sur la route de Madagascar et de l'Indochine.

Interesting fact

The Pattern 20 Francs (Essai) 1968 from Djibouti › Afars and Issas (1967-1977) made of Brass weighing 4.1 g is a rare and unique coin, with only a few examples known to exist. It was minted in 1968 as a trial coin, and it features a distinctive design that sets it apart from other coins in the series. The obverse of the coin features the coat of arms of Djibouti, while the reverse features a traditional Afar man and woman, surrounded by intricate patterns and designs. The coin's rarity and historical significance make it a highly sought-after collector's item among numismatists and enthusiasts of African currency.

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