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1/2 Werk - Menelik II Reverse Trial
| Issuer | Ethiopian Empire (Ethiopia) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1889 |
| Type | Coin pattern |
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| Obverse description | The Conquering Lion of Judah stands in profile facing left, wearing the Imperial Crown of Ethiopia and holding a processional cross-topped staff in its right forepaw, with a flowing banner ribbon extending above its back. The lion is rendered in bold relief against a flat field, with fine detail in the mane and musculature. A Ge'ez legend arcs around the upper periphery, with an additional denomination inscription along the lower border. The entire design is enclosed within a beaded inner border. |
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| Mintage | 1889: ND (1889) |
| Additional information |
This is a reverse trial piece for the 1/2 Werk coinage issued under Menelik II, who was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in November 1889 — the same year he signed the Treaty of Wuchale with Italy, a document whose Amharic and Italian versions would be interpreted so differently that they triggered the First Italo-Ethiopian War six years later. Trial strikes in pewter were a standard proofing method for the Paris Mint, which handled Ethiopian coinage during this period, allowing die alignment and relief depth to be assessed before committing to silver production.