Watch List notes:

Madagascar - Pattern 5 Francs 1886, Silver, RANAVALONA III 1883–1897 Crowned and veiled full-length bust facing three-quarters right S.M. RANAVONA III. Rev. crowned monogram R ROYAUME DE MADAGASCAR 1886Lec. 24; Dav. 515.Princess Ranavalona III was the last monarch of the Kingdom of Madagascar. She spent most of her reign attempting to stave off colonization by strengthening diplomatic and trade relations with foreign powers. This, however, would ultimately prove to be unsuccessful, with the capture of the royal palace in 1895 signaling the end of the sovereignty and political autonomy of the Kingdom. Initially allowed to remain in Madagascar as a symbolic figure of the country, she was exiled to Réunion, and finally to Algiers where she would remain until her death in 1917 at age 55. In her time in Algiers, she would frequently visit the French capital and due to her excellent reputation and status of living in exile, she became a beloved figure to the French public. When World War I broke out, her visits to Paris were halted and instead she focused her efforts to help the Algerian Red Cross.26.32 g.Planchette hairlines, lovely cabinet toned Proof