2020-12-12 Sat

Emperor Menelik II ruled the Ethiopian Empire from 1889 to his death in 1913 and king of Shewa from 1866 to 1889. At the height of his internal power and external prestige, the process of territorial expansion and creation of the modern empire-state was completed by 1898.

The Ethiopian Empire was transformed under Emperor Menelik: the major signposts of modernisation with the help of key ministerial advisors, such as Gabre-Heywat Baykadan, were put in place. Menelik expanded his kingdom to the south and east, into Kaffa, Sidama, Wolayta and other kingdoms. He is widely called "Emiye Menelik" in Ethiopia.

Later in his reign, Menelik established the first Cabinet of Ministers to help in the administration of the Empire, appointing trusted and widely respected nobles and retainers to the first Ministries. These ministers would remain in place long after his death, serving in their posts through the brief reign of Lij Iyasu and into the reign of Empress Zewditu.

The obverse of a coin depicts the crowned bust of Emperor Manelik II right. The reverse of a coin shows crowned lion left, holding a cross-topped banner with a right foreleg.

Image Source: Wikipedia