Historical and Art Medals, British and World Coins and Tokens

Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, gold Coronation medal, EE 1923 [1931], bust left, reverse trilobe, 31mm, 19.90gm. Good very fine, very rare and an interesting association item (£400-500)

Haile Selassie (1892-1977: Emperor of Ethiopia 1930-36 and 1941-74), had the distinction of being a 20th century ruler who lost his throne twice. He first fled Ethiopia in 1936 following the invasion of his country by Italian troops under Mussolini, but was restored when the country was liberated by British and Ethiopian forces in 1941. In September 1974 he was deposed by a military coup.

This and the following 2 lots are being sold by a member of the family that befriended Haile Selassie during his exile in England, at Bath, between 1936 and 1940