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25 Francs Barbary sheep, gold essai
| Issuer | Niger |
|---|---|
| Year | 1968 |
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| Reference(s) | KM#E1 |
| Obverse description | The obverse features the national arms of Niger at center, depicting a shield flanked by two crossed spears with a sun motif, all set within a lightly polished field. The denomination 25 FRs appears prominently above the shield, with the date 1968 displayed in the lower portion of the field. The national motto FRATERNITÉ-TRAVAIL-PROGRÈS (Brotherhood, Work, Progress) arcs around the upper periphery as the primary legend, while the word ESSAI, denoting trial or pattern status, appears in the lower legend. The design is executed in high relief with a sharp, proof-like finish consistent with an essai striking. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | The reverse presents a bold, naturalistically rendered Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) in right-facing profile, standing in a rocky landscape setting. The animal is depicted with characteristic large curved horns and a heavy mane, rendered in high relief with fine detail. The legend REPUBLIQUE DU NIGER arcs around the upper periphery of the coin in evenly spaced capital letters, framing the central device. The field is polished and deeply mirrored, consistent with proof-quality essai production. The overall composition is centrally balanced, showcasing Niger's native wildlife in a dignified and detailed manner. |
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| Additional information |
Niger's essai coinage of 1968 was produced in the years following independence from France, when the newly sovereign state was issuing trial pieces — many struck at the Paris Mint — largely for collector sale rather than circulation. These essais were a common revenue mechanism for Francophone African nations during this period, and most never entered general use. The Barbary sheep, native to the Saharan and sub-Saharan regions Niger spans, was a deliberate assertion of local fauna over the colonial imagery that had preceded it.
KM# E1 designation confirms this as the first essai type recorded for Niger.