Description
Ethiopia, Menelik II (1889-1913), the Silver Jubilee of the Djibouti to Addis Ababa Railway, 32mm bronze medal, EE 1895 [1903], by C. Chaplain and H. Patey (Barac 4, Gill M41)
Obverse: Crowned and draped bust facing right
Reverse: Steam locomotive left. On the lower right side their is the Cornucopia privy mark of the Paris mint BRONZE
Edge: Plain; with ball suspension and suspension ring.
The railway between Djibouti City (in Djibouti) and Dire Dawa (in Ethiopia) was completed in 1903, allowing for a rapid expanse in the former and a virtual French enclave in the latter. Further expansion to the line included the eventual terminus at the capital of the Ethiopian empire, Addis Ababa, 784 km (487 miles) inland from the Port of Djibouti.
