Ancient
Aksumite currency of the
Kingdom of Aksum
In the eighteen century copper coins were introduced in
denominations of 1⁄100 and 1⁄32 birr, together with silver 1
ghersh, ⅛, ¼, ½ and 1 birr, and gold ¼, ½ and 1 werk. In
the thirties, a
new series of coins of copper 1 and 5 metonnyas, and
nickel 10, 20 and 50 metonnyas
was introduced
In the forties coins were
reintroduced, with copper 1, 5, 10 and 25 santim and silver 50
santim. A second series was issued in the nineties consisting of
aluminium 1 santim, brass 5 and 10 santim, and cupro-nickel 25
and 50 santim with
The dates, like the rest of the legend, appear in Amharic, the
official language of Ethiopia.
