100 Franc

1938, Tunisia. Beautiful Gilt Bronze Pattern 100 Francs (ESSAI) Coin. NGC MS-65!

Mint Place: Paris (A)
Engraver: Lucien Barzor
Mint Year: 1938 (AH 1357)
State: Tunisia (as French Protectorate).
References: VG.5497, Lec. 499, KM-E19.
Denomination: Pattern 100 Francs (ESSAI)
Condition: Certified and graded by NGC as MS-65!
Material: Bronze (gold-plated)
Diameter: 21mm
Weight: 3.44gm

Obverse: Large date (1938), 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.