100 Franc Tunisia Gold

1938, Tunisia. Beautiful Gilt Bronze Pattern 100 Francs (ESSAI) Coin. 

Mint Place: Paris (A)

Engraver: Lucien Barzor


Mint Year: 1938 (AH 1357)

State: Tunisia (as French Protectorate).
Denomination: Pattern 100 Francs
Material: Gold

Diameter: 21mm

Weight: 6.55gm

Obverse: Large date (1942), flanked by privy marks of the Paris mint and terminated by arabesques above and below. All within central medallion within floral and geometric pattern.

Legend: TUNISIE

Reverse: Arabic inscriptions above arabic date (AH 1357) within decorative frame and flanked by olive and plam branches. 

Ahmad II ibn Ali (13 April 1862 – 19 June 1942) was the ruler of Tunisia from 11 February 1929 until his death. He was the son of Ali Muddat ibn al-Husayn. He was born in the Dar al-Taj Palace at La Marsa. On 14 January 1928 he became the Bey al-Mahalla (crown prince) of Tunis, and thus the lieutenant-general of the Beylical Army, and became bey upon the death of his cousin Muhammad VI al-Habib. Ahmad died at La Marsa and was buried at the Turbat al-Bey. He was succeeded by his cousin Muhammad VII al-Munsif. Ahmad II had ten sons and eight daughters, including Prince Muhammad al-Taib Bey (1902-1989) who was the head of the Husainid Dynasty from 1974 until 1989.