Obverse. Image Courtesy of Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS.com)
  • 20 000 Francs 1976, KM# 12, Comoros, Saïd Mohamed Cheikh
  • 20 000 Francs 1976, KM# 12, 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 the Coelacanth fish right in the center, the country name in French above and denomination below, the year of issue, and the fish name below the fish.

Coelacanths (order Coelacanthiformes) are an ancient group of lobe-finned fish (Sarcopterygii) within the class Actinistia. As sarcopterygians, they share a closer evolutionary relationship with lungfish and tetrapods (which include amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) than with ray-finned fish.

ETAT COMORIEN
LE COELACANTHE
1976
20.000 FRANCS

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.900
Weight 6.14 g
Diameter 24 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Alt # KM# MS1, KM# PS1
Mint
Paris Mint (A)

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