Lot 3855

Description

German East Africa, pattern (probe) 2 1/2 Tola, Hamburg Mint, C.1900 obverse womans portrait facing right, reverse "2 1/2 Tola Feingeh 0.995 In center with legend surroundings" Gew 450gr.troy/Fein 447.75GB Troy". Weight 29.22gr. Nearly extremely fine and very rare.

For a similar example see Westfalische Auctiongesellschaft auction catalogue 24 September 2007, lot 1906 which realised 5,200 Euro (approx A$8000) copy of the description from the catalogue sold with the coin. This pattern was struck when Germany was considering issuing a trade dollar for German East Africa similar to other trade dollars of the period. The 2 1/2 tola may have been used in the design for possible trade with India and the many Indians living and trading along the coast of German East Africa.