Ethiopia Coins
The official currency of Ethiopia is the Ethiopian Birr, which has been the country's currency since 1976. The Ethiopian monetary system has a rich history dating back centuries, reflecting the culture and economic evolution of this Horn of Africa nation.
Ethiopian monetary history
Prior to the introduction of the modern birr, Ethiopia used various forms of money throughout its history. In the 19th century, the country adopted the Maria Theresa talero, an Austrian silver coin that circulated widely in the region. In 1894, Emperor Menelik II introduced the first Ethiopian birr, which coexisted with the talero until the early 20th century. During the Italian occupation (1936-1941), the Italian East African lira was used, but after liberation, Ethiopia reverted to the birr.
Modern Ethiopian Numismatics
The current birr is divided into 100 cents and exists in denominations ranging from 1 cent to 200 birr. Ethiopian coins and banknotes often feature images of historical leaders, such as Emperor Haile Selassie, as well as national symbols and landmarks. An important milestone in Ethiopian numismatics was the introduction of polymer banknotes in 2020, starting with the 5 birr denomination, which marked a significant advance in the security and durability of the country's currency.
| Country | Ethiopia |
| Flag | |
| Coin | Birr (ETB) |
| 1€ | 129,50Br |
| Continent | Africa |
| Capital city | Addis Ababa |
| ISO2 | ET |
| ISO3 | ETH |
| Catalogued coins | 69 |
If you are a passionate collector, this catalog offers the possibility to create your own personal collection from this list. You can add your coins and generate a free PDF catalog from a complete database and our management tools. In addition, once registered, you will have the opportunity to exchange coins with other collectors around the world easily and free of charge.
The most valuable coins
The most valuable Ethiopia coins and sought after by collectors according to Foronum statistics are the following:
The valuation of these coins has been achieved through a meticulous algorithm that considers the current market, taking into account aspects such as material, weight, diameter, edge, year of mintage, mint of manufacture and the number of coins produced. Coins with limited mintages and in good condition are usually among the most valuable.
Coin Catalog
1 birr
10 santim
1 birr
5 santim
25 santim
25 santim
50 santim
1/100 birr
1/4 birr
10 santim
5 santim
1/16 birr
5 matonas
1/32 birr
1/4 gersh
5 santim
1 santim
1 santim (FAO)
1/4 birr
1/2 gersh
Other resources to find coins and banknotes of Ethiopia
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