| Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles > Auction 137 | Auction date: 29 January 2024 |
| Lot number: 1105 Price realized: 13,500 USD (Approx. 12,504 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Ethiopia. Pattern Bir, EE1884 (1891 AD). Gil-Unlisted. Silver. 40 mm. Paris mint, privy marks on edge. Possibly intended to be a pattern 1 Bir, no denomination indicated on the coin. Appears to be a proto-type of the first Bir adopted in 1887 with similar inscriptions, weight and Lagrange lion. Obv. Plain field with inscription around. The plain field possibly indicates no photo had yet appeared in Paris to have the new Emperor Menelik portrait appear on the coin. Inscription in Amharic: "(The) Second Menelik: King (of) Kings: (of) Ethiopia". Reverse; Crowned Lion of Judah standing left. Inscription surrounding: "(He is the) Conqueror: (the) Lion: (of the) Tribe: (of) Judah". First we have seen. Very Rare. Pop 1; The only one graded at PCGS. PCGS graded Specimen 55. Estimated Value $3,000 - UP Ex Goldberg Sale 41, May 27, 2007, lot 3065. |  |
