Ethiopia
Menelik II Pair of Certified silver Pattern Mahaleki EE 1885 (1893) NGC,
1) Mahaleki - MS61, cf. KM1 (with denomination), Gill-Y-A1 (same). 15mm.
2) 2 Mahaleki - AU58, KM-Unl., Gill-Unl. 18mm.
Harar mint. Plain edge. An extremely rare and indeed potentially unique set of trials, struck without the denomination below the word 'Mahalaq' (in Ge'ez) on the reverse. Recording only an example of the Mahaleki struck with the denomination, Gill comments that the issue is considered to be the last output of the Harar mint prior to the city's capture by Menelik II in EE 1887 (1894), and, incidentally, also represents the first modern coin of Ethiopia. The 2 Mahaleki is unpublished either as a circulating denomination or a pattern. We have been unable to locate any other examples.
Ex. Baldwin's Auction 91 (September 2014, Lots 3364 & 3365)
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ethiopia/ethiopia-menelik-ii-pair-of-certified-silver-pattern-mahaleki-ee-1885-1893-ngc-total-2-coins-/a/3085-30115.s?type=CoinArchives3085
HID02906262019
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Estimate: 8000-10000 USD