King Haile Selassie, all dated Ethiopian Era (EE) 1936 (AD 1944): Ethiopia 1 Cent EE 1936 (1944) Ethiopia 5 Cents EE 1936 (1944) Ethiopia 10 Cents EE 1936 (1944) Ethiopia 25 Cents EE 1936 (1944) These coins are supposedly very popular with Rastafarians who admire Haile Selassie. I have had them since the 1960's.
Great lion design. But not too big on real people on coins. I wish more of these great reverse designs had some kind og liberty lady or some kind of male version on the front instead.
I don't mind having real people on coins. It adds to the variety of world coins and just look at the US coinage. In his lifetime Emperor Haile Selassie was a revered leader in his own country and by the Rastafarian community (being their spiritual leader). He was also very well respected among other world leaders at the time. I can appreciate that some world leaders featuring on coins/notes might raise some hackles from some people who do not admire/respect their standing but then I don't suppose American coins/notes go down too well among the more fanatical members of the Muslim community at the present time. I say each to their own and when it comes to numismatics - let's try and keep it politics free.
May make sense for democratic republics with an elected head of state. But in monarchies it is pretty common to show the king or emperor on coins. And Ethiopia was one back when these coins were issued. Christian
I have examples of these types as well as this one: 50 Matonas As for real people on coins...Those are my favorites...I love coin portraits. I also wear a very worn 50 Matonas around my neck which was crudely fashioned into a pendant (possibly by a rasta as I know they do this).
A few older issues from Ethiopia, during the reign of Menelik II. 1/32 birr, 1889 EE 1 ghersh, 1891 EE, AR, Paris mint
