1 Birr - Menelik II Reverse Trial

This is a trial strike produced at the Monnaie de Paris in connection with the Ethiopian birr coinage commissioned by Emperor Menelik II following his decisive victory over Italian forces at Adwa in March 1896 — a defeat so complete it effectively ended Italy's first attempt at colonizing Ethiopia. The Paris mint held the contract for Ethiopian coinage through this period, and white metal uniface or trial pieces were routinely produced to test and approve dies before committing to silver production runs.