Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
Maastricht May 2023 Auction 4-5 May 2023
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
ITALIAN SOMALILAND. Cassa per la Circolazione Monetaria della Somalia. 1 Somali, 1950. P-11a. PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ.
Italian Somaliland was a protectorate, and later colony of Italy from the 1880s up until 1941. The territory was gained through treaties, unlike other territories Italy would conquer in the 1930s. Benito Mussolini viewed Somalia as "the crown jewel of Italy's colonial empire". Il Duce viewed himself as a liberator, not an invader, of these territories. Italian Somaliland was later merged in 1936 to form Italian East Africa, after Ethiopia was conquered. Later in 1940, Italian troops invaded British Somaliland, pushing the British out of the region. The tables turned against the Italians in the Spring of 1941 after the Allies started making headway through Africa and lost their holdings to the British (although Italian troops managed to fight an affective guerilla war against the British until 1943). From 1941 until 1950, the colony was placed under British Military Administration. Italian administration would not return until 1950, when the United Nations granted Italy the area under a trust, which would last until 1960 when Somalia was granted its independence.
Italian Somaliland was a protectorate, and later colony of Italy from the 1880s up until 1941. The territory was gained through treaties, unlike other territories Italy would conquer in the 1930s. Benito Mussolini viewed Somalia as "the crown jewel of Italy's colonial empire". Il Duce viewed himself as a liberator, not an invader, of these territories. Italian Somaliland was later merged in 1936 to form Italian East Africa, after Ethiopia was conquered. Later in 1940, Italian troops invaded British Somaliland, pushing the British out of the region. The tables turned against the Italians in the Spring of 1941 after the Allies started making headway through Africa and lost their holdings to the British (although Italian troops managed to fight an affective guerilla war against the British until 1943). From 1941 until 1950, the colony was placed under British Military Administration. Italian administration would not return until 1950, when the United Nations granted Italy the area under a trust, which would last until 1960 when Somalia was granted its independence.
This 1 Somali note comes from the 1950 series of currency, in which Italy regained control of the area after nearly a decade. This condition anomaly is tied for Top Pop at PMG with a single other note, so any collector of Italian Colonial currency will go nuts at the opportunity to take this treasure home. The depiction at center is of a Leopard, which offers intricate details right down to the whiskers. The primary design is comprised of gold and dark purple colors, which contrasts nicely against the bright white paper. Broad margins with a beautiful wavy slice at right, give this note a nice, even frame. PMG Pop 2/None Finer.
Estimate: $4000 - $8000