Imperial British East Africa Company 1888 AR Rupee (Numista 17050)

IMPERIAL BRITISH EAST AFRICA COMPANY
AR Rupee (30.3mm, 11.65g, 6h)
Dated 1888. Heaton & Sons mint, Birmingham, UK
Obverse: Crowned sun above ribbon reading LIGHT AND LIBERTY; ONE RUPEE above, MOMBASA below
Reverse: IMPERIAL BRITISH EAST AFRICA COMPANY above pair of scales; in between scales, Arabic inscription عدل [Justice]; below, H over · 1888 ·
References: Numista 17050
Mintage: 94,000

Rich cabinet toning. The Imperial British East Africa Company (IBEAC) was founded in 1888 with the goal of developing British trade and influence in the territory of East Africa. With oversight of nearly a quarter million square miles, the IBEAC was also responsible for administration and given quasi-governmental powers. In 1890, the IBEAC began work on a 600-mile road in preparation of a railway that was to connect the port of Mombasa with the distant border of Uganda. However, conflict with rival interests led to a civil war which halted the project, and ultimately led to the company's bankruptcy and dissolution in 1896.

Sammlung : World coins - medieval to present