Egypt 1865 50 centimes Suez Canal KM-Tn2
The coin shown is a fifty centimes Suez Canal Token, issued by Ch. and A. Bazin. These tokens were issued during the construction of the Suez Canal for use as money by company employees. Construction of the canal began in 1859 and completed in 1869. The obverse features a ship, presumably passing through the future canal, and the issuer and denomination on the reverse. All script is in French.
This token was lot 1593 and sold on May 18, 2011 at the Classical Numismatic Group Auction 87 for $1500. The catalog description reads: "EGYPT, Ottomans. Isma'il. As pasha, AH 1280-1284 / AD 1863-1867. CU 50 Centimes Token. Struck for the Ch. & A. Bazin Company. Paris mint. Dated 1863. Denomination in three lines; all within wreath / Galley under sail left on sea. EF, red-brown surfaces. Rare and historically interesting." NOTE: description incorrectly dates the token at 1863.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper, this specimen 21 mm diameter, 1.93 g, 6h.
Catalog reference: KM Tn2.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
Links to:
- Egypt 1865 20 centimes Suez Canal KM-Tn1, Ch. & A. Bazin
- Egypt 1865 20 centimes Suez Canal KM-Tn5, Borel Lavalley & Co.
- Egypt 1865 50 centimes Suez Canal KM-Tn6, Borel Lavalley & Co.
- Egypt 1865 1 franc Suez Canal KM-Tn7
- Egypt 1892 5 francs Suez Canal KM-Tn14
- Coins and currency dated 1865
- return to coins of Egypt