After watching the 1950 film "King Solomon's Mines" and identifying the coins worn by one of the actors as late 1800's Ethiopian Birrs, I just had to to get one (or two). Ethiopia Birr EE 1889 (AD 1897) Type I Emperor Menelik II Ethiopia Birr EE 1895 (AD 1903) Type II, slightly different design Was mounted at one time (or suffered post-elephant damage, see below) These pictures are from the 1950 MGM (Metro Goldwym Meyer) film "King Solomon's Mines" which is based on H. Rider Haggard's novel about Africa. The film is set in 1887. Alan Quatermain, a professional hunter, takes two clients, a brother and sister, to search for the missing husband of the sister. Stewart Granger plays the hunter and Deborah Kerr plays the sister. Early in the film, Alan's African assistant is killed by an elephant. Alan removes a decoration from the man's neck to give to his wife. The decoration appears to be two silver dollar sized coins joined by beads. The coins have been identified as Ethiopian Birrs. Alan comforting fallen man Alan holding the two coins Another view of one of the coins Here is a real silver Ethiopian Birr or Talari of King Menelik II. The date on the coin is the Ethiopian Era year 1889 (AD 1897). They are the size of a US silver dollar (38mm) and were made from AD 1894 to 1904. I put some more coins from movies on my website (below).
Ah, that is interesting stuff.... I remember seeing the movie long ago. I have always liked the Ethiopian 1 Birr coins of that time period.... or even the smaller denominations. I just really always thought that the lion on the reverse looked very cool, and the portrait of Menelik looked very regal, and fancy.... this is one world coin that has been on my list for a looong time... still have yet to pick one up.
