★ MS62 | Ethiopia, gold Medal, 1928, for the Coronation of Ras Tafari Makonnen ★

Ethiopia, Coronation of Ras Tafari Makonnen (later the Emperor Haile Selassie) as Negus (King), EE 1921 / 1928 A.D., medallic gold half-talari, Addis Ababa, 1928, bust of Ras Tafari Makonnen (later Haile Selassie I), rev. legend in five lines and surrounding, 22.14g (KM-X17, Gill-RT15). NGC MS 62. Well struck up and only one graded higher by NGC.

NGC Certification 8221146-001

This rare medal celebrates the coronation of Ras Tafari Makonnen as King of all Ethiopia in 1928. The accession followed the remarkable failed attempts, in fact instigated by the existing Empress of Ethiopia, Zewditu (1916-1930) to prevent Ras Tafari Makonnen's rise to power. She feared his aims to modernise Ethiopia, and a number of her supporters instigated an uprising against him. Ultimately, the coup failed and saw the empress herself raise Ras Tafari Makonnen to the throne as Negus (king) in which role he ruled as regent alongside her until her death when he ascended the throne again, as Emperor Haile Selassie I in 1930.