Eritrea, 1997 AD., Republic, the Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Wales, 5 Cents, KM 44.

Eritrea, Republic, designer: Clarence Holbert, the Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Wales, 1997 AD.,
5 Cents (ø 18,9 mm / 2,70 g), nickel-plated steel (planchet: 94% Iron, 1,2% carbon, layers: 4-5% nickel, magnetic), 2,70 g. theor. mint weight, mintage? , axis coin alignment ↑↓ (180°), reeded edge,
Obv.: STATE OF ERITREA 1997 / 5 / FIVE CENTS , a leopard (Panthera pardus) resting r. on trunk, looking to the front.
Rev.: LIBERTY · EQUALITY · JUSTICE / 1991 , a group of freedom fighters plants flag of the new nation, four soldiers with national flag climbing a hill; motto and independence date left and above, symbolizing the struggle for independence from Ethiopia in 1991.
KM 44 ; Schön 44 .

Year / Mintage
1997 / ?

The creation of modern day Eritrea is a result of the incorporation of independent Kingdoms and various vassal states of the Ethiopian empire and the Ottoman Empire, eventually resulting in the formation of Italian Eritrea. In 1947 Eritrea became part of a federation with Ethiopia, the Federation of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Subsequent annexation by Ethiopia led to the Eritrean War of Independence, ending with Eritrean independence in 1991.