1897 (EE 1889) Ethiopia gold 1/2 Wer ,certified by PCGS Tooled - UNC detail
Emperor: Haile Selassie
Mint Place: Addis Ababa
Mint Year: 1897 (EE 1889)
Denomination: Gold ½ Werk
Reference: Friedberg 23, KM-17. R!
Material: Gold (.900)
Weight: ca. 3.8gm
Diameter: 19mm
Obverse: Crowned bust of Emperor Menelik II right within wreath. Date (EE 1889) below. Legend around.
Reverse: Crowned Lion of Judah, holding cross-topped banner with right paw left. Legend around and in exergue.
The Lion of Judah is the symbol of the Hebrew tribe of Judah (the Jewish tribe). According to the Torah, the tribe consists of the descendants of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob. The association between Judah and the lion, most likely the Asiatic lion, can first be found in the blessing given by Jacob to his son Judah in the Book of Genesis. The Lion of Judah is also mentioned in the Book of Revelation, as a term representing Jesus, according to Christian theology. The lion of Judah was also one of the titles of the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie and was depicted on the flag of Ethiopia from 1897-1974. Due to its association with Selassie, it continues to be an important symbol among members of the Rastafari movement.
