1 Birr - Menelik II

Features

Issuer	Ethiopian Empire (Ethiopia)
Emperor	Menelik II (1889-1913)
Type	Standard circulation coins
Years	1887-1889 (1895-1897)
Calendar	Ethiopian
Value	1 Birr / Thaler (አንድ፡ብር)
Currency	Birr / Thaler (1893-1931)
Composition	Silver (.835)
Weight	28.075 g
Diameter	40 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized	Yes
Number	N# 22984
References	KM# 5 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes). , Schön# 6 Battenberg Gietl Verlag (publisher). Weltmünzkatalog. Battenberg Gietl Verlag, Regenstauf, Bavaria, Germany (4 volumes).

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Obverse

Emperor Menelik II Bust Facing Right

Script: Ge'ez

Lettering:
ደግማዊ ፡ ምኒልክ ፡ ንጉሠ ፡ ነገሥት ፡ ዘኢትዮጵያ።
፲፰፻፹፱

Translation:
Menelik II King of Kings of Ethiopia
1889

Engraver: Jean Lagrange

Reverse

Lion of Judah: Crowned lion carrying a cross

Scripts: Ge'ez, Latin

Lettering:
ሞዓ ፡ አንበሳ ፡ ዘእምነገደ ፡ ይሁዳ።
LA GRANGE
A
አንድ ፡ ብር

Translation:
Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah
One Birr

Engraver: Jean Lagrange

Edge

Plain with letters

Script: Ge'ez

Mint

(A)	Monnaie de Paris, Paris (and Pessac starting 1973), France (864-date)

Marks

	Jean Lagrange, General coin engraver, Monnaie de Paris (1880-1896)
	Henri-Auguste-Jules Patey, General coin engraver, Monnaie de Paris (1896-1930)

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Date	Mintage	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC		Frequency
Undetermined
1887 (1895) A	20 000			$ 110	$ 150	$ 190	$ 190	፲፰፻፹፯	18%
1887 (1895) A								፲፰፻፹፯; Proof	1.2%
1888 (1896) A	200							፲፰፻፹፰	2%
1889 (1897) A	418 000	$ 110	$ 110	$ 120	$ 170	$ 310	$ 620	፲፰፻፹፱	84%

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Members from this site want to exchange it: Carletto, ARiley, J-J.Doubrovski, IndoStocks, TauTau, Andrey78

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Numista Rarity index: 23 Search tips

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: USD 54.94 Search tips

This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 2344 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Actual silver weight: 0.754 oz

Current silver price: 72.89 USD/oz (see silver price

)

Examples of the type

Picture 1 of the example of 1 Birr - Menelik II

Picture 2 of the example of 1 Birr - Menelik II

– ፲፰፻፹፱ (see more)

Picture 3 of the example of 1 Birr - Menelik II

Picture 4 of the example of 1 Birr - Menelik II

– ፲፰፻፹፱ (see more)

See the examples

Past sales

Pictures	Sale	Date	Version	Grade	Sold price
	Katz Auction 158 Lot 2141	14 May 2025	1887 (1895) A – ፲፰፻፹፯	UNC	USD 75.44 (EUR 65.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 146 Lot 3278	14 Dec 2024	1887 (1895) A – ፲፰፻፹፯	UNC	USD 77.76 (EUR 67.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 106 Lot 480	27 Dec 2023	1887 (1895) A – ፲፰፻፹፯	UNC	USD 8.12 (EUR 7.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 103 Lot 2040	9 Dec 2023	1887 (1895) A – ፲፰፻፹፯	UNC	USD 24.37 (EUR 21.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 101 Lot 2158	18 Nov 2023	1887 (1895) A – ፲፰፻፹፯	UNC	USD 12.77 (EUR 11.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 72 Lot 2648	21 Dec 2022	1887 (1895) A – ፲፰፻፹፯	UNC	USD 42.94 (EUR 37.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Heritage Auctions 2021 December 11 - 13 HKINF World Coins Signature® Auction - Hong Kong 3095 Lot 36352	11 Dec 2021	1887 (1895) A – ፲፰፻፹፯	UNC (NGC MS64)	USD 4560.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions 2020 January 21 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Signature Online Auction 3082 Lot 33679	21 Jan 2020	1887 (1895) A – ፲፰፻፹፯	UNC (NGC MS63)	USD 2400.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions 2025 August 27 - 29 ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction 3125 Lot 34082	27 Aug 2025	1887 (1895) A – ፲፰፻፹፯	AU (NGC AU Details (Cleaned))	USD 216.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Heritage Auctions 2025 August 27 - 29 ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction 3125 Lot 34081	27 Aug 2025	1887 (1895) A – ፲፰፻፹፯	AU (NGC AU53)	USD 300.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions