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Genuine Ethiopian Birr?

BailathaclBailathacl Posts: 1,015 ✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
I just purchased this Ethipian Birr and it has a strange look to it (the discoloration on the obverse is only on the picture, not the actual coin). Is it genuine? Let me know what you all think. These coins have many varieties not shown in Krause though i already tried looking for it. All of the Birrs in Krause seem to have small differences in both the beard and crown of King Menelik. Thanks for all help, it's much appreciated!

Bonus points fo whoever can tell me the date in Ethiopian!

image
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    coinkatcoinkat Posts: 22,795 ✭✭✭✭✭
    not my series but I am not optimistic-

    Experience the World through Numismatics...it's more than you can imagine.

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    WillieBoyd2WillieBoyd2 Posts: 5,038 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The date is 10,8,100,80,7 or (10+8) x 100 + 80 + 7 or 1887 Ethiopian Era
    Add 8 years to get AD date of 1895.

    Here's my Birr from EE 1889 (AD 1897):

    image

    image
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    DCHDCH Posts: 332
    What's the size/weight? It looks like a 1/8 Birr.
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    OchoRealesOchoReales Posts: 1,500 ✭
    Does not look good from here. Sorry image
    Lurker since '02. Got the seven year itch!

    Gary
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    BailathaclBailathacl Posts: 1,015 ✭✭✭
    Definitely crown sized (although, alas, I don't own a scale). The discoloration is only in the picture, and the jagged edges are also only in the picture. The reverse detail is also a lot sharper than seller's picture suggest (it's not blurry at all in hand). Has that nice silver "ping" on a wood table.... Going away for a few days, I'll get it weighed on my return.

    Thanks for the opinions so far, all. Further thoughts anyone?
    "The Internet? Is that thing still around??" - Homer Simpson
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    SYRACUSIANSYRACUSIAN Posts: 6,448 ✭✭✭✭
    Newsman will confirm or not, whatever you want. The right person for the right coin. image
    Dimitri



    myEbay



    DPOTD 3
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    SapyxSapyx Posts: 2,010 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The denomination is writted in the script beneath the exergue below the lion. For a dollar-sized 1 birr coin, all the characters should match what you see on WillieBoyd2's example. The inscription on this coin has indeed been copied from off a 1/8th birr, as DCH suggested.

    It's a fantasy/repro. Sorry. image
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    BailathaclBailathacl Posts: 1,015 ✭✭✭
    Thanks everyone. Back it goes from whence it came.
    "The Internet? Is that thing still around??" - Homer Simpson
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    newsmannewsman Posts: 2,658 ✭✭✭
    It's a commonly found replica -- the reverse legend copied from the 1/8 birr is a clue, also the engraving is far different from an authentic EE1887 birr.

    I think this one is listed in the "Unusual World Coins" book. It may actually be silver, though I'm not sure if it's worth much.
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