Alexander K. writes: Hi! I have coin of Ethiopia 1 talari 1894, but it differs from indicated in the catalog Krause. Its weight 27.1 grams, it is made obviously on a mint of high-standard silver. The legends is common, but denomination is different Instead of “One Bir” is written “Ya Bir … and unknown word. What this – trial coin?
You have several conflicting pieces of information. “Ya” is the Ethiopian word for “of” and is used in conjunction with fractional denominations of the Birr, a silver dollar sized coin that shows the bust of King Menelik II (1889-1913) and a lion with his left foreleg raised on the reverse. The term “Ya” is seen in the following context:
Ya Birr Tamun = literally of Birr Eighth or 1/8 of a Birr.
Ya Birr Rub = “of birr fourth” = 1/4 Birr
Ya Birr Alad = “of Birr half”= 1/2 Birr.
Birr were struck in 1887A (Ethiopian dating system or E.E. Add 7 to get Gregorian date)(A=Paris Mint), 1888A, 1889A,1892A. All legends on the coins of this period are in Ethiopian which does not use the Latin alphabet. Trial strikes of the EE1887 (1894) 1 Birr exist but they would be of the same weight and size standards as the production strikes.
A Tallero or 5 Lira is a coin of Eritrea, a former Ethiopian province (weighs 28.125 grams of .800 fine silver or .7235 of a troy ounce of pure silver). Tallero were only minted with the dates 1891 and 1896.
