Madagascar: An Overview of the French Colonial Coinage

I want to present the next colony I have completed, Madagascar. This set is much simpler than the Cameroon set I discussed here, but is still a very enjoyable and fulfilling set.

France invaded Madagascar in 1883 in what became known as the first Franco-Hova War, and with the signing of the Treaty of Tamatave in January, 1886, the war ceased. Madagascar ceded Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) on the northern coast to France and paid a hefty fine of 10 million francs. The treaty essentially gave France control over Malagasy foreign policy, and they used this to exert increasing control over the territory. The terms and impositions of the treaty were resented by the Prime Minister Rainilaiarivony, but accepted. The monarchy was merely a figurehead for the tight control of the government exerted by the Prime Minister. The situation quickly changed when his former ally, the British, recognized a French Protectorate of Madagascar in September, 1890.

The French administration was determined to bring about a full Protectorate on the island, and thus active hostilities commenced on December 12, 1894, when the French marines took possession of Tamatave. General Duchesne and his flying column landed in Mahajanga (Majunga) and marched to the capital, Antananarivo, finally reaching the city and beginning the assault in the last week of September, 1895.

The defenders were stationed on the main road to the capital, to the south of the city. The French commander, however, circled the city and executed a feint attack on the north of the city. His main force attacked the east of the city, commanding a hillock from which he could shell the main government buildings, including the Queen's palace. Three shells were fired against the city, and the Hova army was routed. The Prime Minister's Secretary, Mark Rabibiosa, hoisted the flag of surrender and went out to meet the French. General Duchesne entered the city on October 1, and Queen Ranavalona signed the treaty which made Madagascar a full Protectorate of the French government. Madagascar was formerly annexed by the French in 1896, overseen by the first Resident General Laroche.

The Vichy government controlled Madagascar until the British occupied the island in 1942, after which the colony was governed by the Free French. The Malagasy Republic was proclaimed in 1958 within the French Community, after an uprising in 1947 killed 90,000 people. The colony gained full independence in 1960.

The coins of French Colonial Madagascar are a relatively small set of just 8 coins, in 2 distinct series. The first is the WWII coinage of Free France, minted in 1943 at the Pretoria mint. These 2 coins, a 50 centimes and a 1 franc coin, both feature a rooster on the obverse, and the Cross of Lorraine on the reverse. The Free France coinage is difficult to locate, especially in higher grades. These coins are made of bronze and generally have subdued luster, even Uncirculated coins lack the flash of some other series.

The second series features the Liberty head common to most French colonial coins of this era designed by Lucien Bazor, the Chief Engraver of the Paris mint. A 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 franc were each minted. The lower denominations were minted on aluminum, and the 10 and 20 franc coins were made of aluminum bronze. Sometimes prooflike specimens will appear, especially of the aluminum coins. All of mine exhibit incredibly flashy luster.

To view the complete 8 coin set, look here.

 

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A great historical post, thanks for sharing. Madagascar's difficult political history did not diminish with independence, and conflict continues to this day.

 

That was an excellent article!

The odd bits of coinage are many times more interesting than the coinage
of large countries or states.

By the way, I have five of the French post-WW2 coins.