MADAGASCAR, Kingdom of Imerina. Ranavalona III, 1883-1897 , 1895
MADAGASCAR, Kingdom of Imerina. Ranavalona III, 1883-1897 , 1895
Pattern AR 5 Francs , 24.90g (38mm, 12h).
Struck by John H. Pinches, for Reginald Huth. RANAVALO MANJAKA 3, crowned bust facing slightly l. / (crescent) RABODOMAMDRIANIMPOINIMERINA (crescent) 1895, Jerusalem cross within polylobe; lis in quarters, rosettes in angles
Pedigree: From an English private collection of coins and medals relating to Madagascar, formed from the 1960s to the present.
References: Chauvicourt 6; MCF 9; Davenport 516; KM (X) M4
Grade: Some contact marks on royal face. Otherwise basically no wear. Deep blue purple toning on both faces. Ef/High AU. (wc1240)
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Struck by John Pinches for a Mr. Reginald Huth, this fantasy medal or pièces de fantaisie of Ranavalona III formed part of his extensive collection of English, Spanish, and Russian numismatic items. Pinches, who founded his own firm in 1840, struck a paltry 25 pieces of this specific specimen 5 francs. He also struck a number of other types depicting famous historical queens including Lili'uokalani and Ka'iulani of Hawaii, Isabel II of Spain, and Queen Victoria.
As the last queen of Madagascar, Ranavalona III was instrumental in the fight against colonization. She fought in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent anyone from taking control of her Kingdom. As a result, shortly after France took control, she was exiled to the island of Réunion in 1897 and later to Algiers in 1899. She would die there in 1917 without ever having returned to Madagascar from exile.