Overview
A bronze 1 Matona coin featuring the Lion of Judah, the symbol of the Solomonic dynasty. This currency was minted during the early reign of Emperor Haile Selassie I, just before the Italian occupation.
Preliminary identification
Ethiopian Empire 1 Matona Coin, Haile Selassie I
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Story
In 1931, Emperor Haile Selassie I introduced this currency to modernize Ethiopia's economy. The Lion of Judah on the face represents a lineage tracing back to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.
Maker / Origin
Haile Selassie I, the last Emperor of Ethiopia, was a defining figure of the 20th century and is revered as a messianic figure in the Rastafari movement. His efforts to modernize Ethiopia included the establishment of a national currency and the country's first constitution.
Condition & Value
The coin shows significant wear and a heavy patina, which is expected for a circulated bronze piece of this age. The loss of fine detail on the lion's mane and the Emperor's features reduces the value to the lower end of the collector scale.
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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
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Market Analysis
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Value Drivers
- ▲ Strong maker attribution with credible period details
- ▲ Better-than-average condition for the category
- ▲ Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact
Concerns
- ▼ Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
- ▼ Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
- ▼ Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Comparable Sales
5 compsRegional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.