Obverse. Photo © Stack's Bowers Galleries
  • 5000 Francs 1976, KM# 10, Comoros, Saïd Mohamed Cheikh
  • 5000 Francs 1976, KM# 10, Comoros, Saïd Mohamed Cheikh
Description

The Comoros is an island country in the Indian Ocean located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel off the eastern coast of Africa between northeastern Mozambique, the French region of Mayotte, and northwestern Madagascar. The capital and largest city in Comoros is Moroni.

It became part of the French colonial empire at the end of 19th century before becoming independent in 1975. Since declaring independence, the country has experienced more than 20 coups d'état or attempted coups, with various heads of state assassinated.

Obverse

Depicts a portrait of Saïd Mohamed Cheikh facing, wearing a fez dividing the dates of his birth and death, his name above.

Saïd Mohamed Ben Chech Abdallah Cheikh (1904–1970) led the Government of Comoros from 1962 until his death. He served in the French National Assembly from 1946 to 1962 and was the president of the Parti Vert. In 1961, Cheikh was elected as the first president of the Governing Council of the Comoros Chamber of Deputies, holding this position until his death from a heart attack in Antananarivo, Madagascar, in 1970. He was buried in Moroni, Comoros.

SAÏD MOHAMED CHEIKH
1904 1970

Reverse

Depicts ylang-ylang, the national flower of Comoros, country name in French above and denomination below, the year of issue left of the flower.

Cananga odorata, commonly known as ylang-ylang or the cananga tree, is a tropical tree native to the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Queensland, Australia, as well as parts of Thailand and Vietnam. Its flowers produce essential oils, also referred to as "ylang-ylang," which have a strong floral fragrance. These oils are highly valued and extensively used in the perfume industry, earning ylang-ylang the title "Queen of Perfumes."

ETAT COMORIEN
1976
5.000 FRANCS

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.925
Weight 44.83 g
Diameter 44 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Alt # KM# MS1, KM# PS1
Mint
Paris Mint (A)

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