Ethiopian 25 Santeem Coin, 1969 (E.C.)

The item is a round, metallic coin, likely composed of a copper-nickel alloy given its silvery-gray appearance with some faint yellowish-green toning, particularly in recessed areas. The obverse prominently features a crowned lion's head facing left, holding a cross in its paw, a common symbol from the Imperial era of Ethiopia. The crown itself is intricately detailed. Surrounding the central design is text in Amharic script, with 'ETHIOPIA' discernible at the top, and '25' written in numerical form below the lion, representing the denomination. Below the lion and cross, also in Amharic, appears to be the date 1969 in the Ethiopian calendar, which corresponds to 1976 or 1977 in the Gregorian calendar. The legend around the rim also includes 'SANTIM' or 'SANTIJM' in Amharic, confirming the denomination as 25 Santeem. The coin exhibits a circulated condition with visible wear on the high points of the design, consistent with regular handling. There are no obvious signs of significant damage such as deep scratches, bends, or repairs, though the surface shows a generalized dullness and some faint smudges or discoloration. The rim appears intact, and the overall craftsmanship suggests a standard minting process for circulated currency. The coin would date to the late Imperial period of Ethiopia, prior to the fall of Haile Selassie I.